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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 

1980 


Technical  Notes  /  Notes  techniques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Physical 
features  of  this  copy  which  may  alter  any  of  the 
images  in  the  reproduction  are  checked  below. 


D 
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Coloured  covers/ 
Couvertures  de  couleur 


Coloured  maps/ 

Cartes  gdographiques  en  couleur 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  M  possible  de  se  procurer.  Certains 
difauts  susceptibles  de  nuire  A  la  quality  de  la 
reproduction  sont  notAs  ci-dessous. 


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Pages  de  couleur 


Coloured  plates/ 
Planches  en  couleur 


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Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  ddcolordes,  tachetdes  ou  piqudes 


Tight  binding  (may  cause  shadows  or 
distortion  along  interior  margin)/ 
Reliure  serr6  (peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou 
de  la  distortion  le  long  de  la  marge 
int^rieure) 


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Pages  endommagies 


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Commentaires  suppldmentaires 


Fold-out  maps,  charu,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at  a  different  reduction  ratio 
than  the  rest  of  the  book. 


Bibliographic  Notes  /  Notes  bibliographiques 


D 
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Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 


Bound  with  other  material/ 
Relid  avec  d'autres  documents 


Cover  title  missing/ 

Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


Plates  missing/ 

Des  planches  manquent 


Additional  comments/ 
Commentaires  suppl6mentalres 


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Erreurs  de  pagination 


Pages  missing/ 
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Des  cartes  gdographiques  manquent 


The  imuges  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


Les  Images  suivantes  ont  6t6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  netteti  de  I'exemplaire  film6,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche  shall 
contain  the  symbol  -^  (meaning  CONTINUED"), 
or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"),  whichever 
applies. 


Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaftra  sur  la  der- 
nidre  Image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le  cas: 
le  symbols  — ►  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le  symbols 
V  signifie  "FIN". 


The  original  copy  was  borrowed  from,  and 
filmed  with,  the  kind  consent  of  the  following 
institution: 

National  Library  of  Canada 


L'exemplaire  filmi  fut  reproduit  grAce  d  la 
g6n6ro8it6  de  I'itablissement  prdteur 
suivant  : 

Bibliothdque  nationale  du  Canada 


Maps  or  plates  too  large  to  be  entirely  included 
in  one  exposure  are  filmed  beginning  in  the 
upper  Inft  hand  corner,  left  to  right  and  top  to 
bottom,  as  many  frames  as  required.  The 
following  diagrams  illustrate  the  method: 


Les  cartes  ou  les  planches  trop  grandes  pour  dtre 
reproduites  en  un  seul  clich6  sont  filmdes  d 
partir  de  Tangle  supdrieure  gauche,  de  gauche  d 
droite  et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  ndcessaire.  Le  diagramme  suivant 
illustre  la  mdthode  : 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

NATIONAL     LIBAASY 

CANADA 

BIBLIOTIiKQtJE     NATION  A  LB 


^^ 


[Published  by  authority  of  the  Surveyor-Genercd  of  Newfoundland.'] 


HAND-BOOK 


OF 


NEWFOHIHIAND: 


.•«»»^'' 


OOMTAININO    AN    ACCOCIIT    OT    ITS 


AGRICULTURAL  AND  MINERAL  LANDS, 
'     '         ITS  FORESTS, 


AMD 


y.  ^  OTHER  NATURAL  RESOURCES: 


■U.' 


WM^  a  pap  jof  %  Islantr. 


\.'    >..,   :,         . 


BOSTON: 
PRINTED    BY    DOYLE    AND    WHITTLE 

1886. 


/ 


i»- 


¥: 


I 


CANADA 


NATIONAL  LIBRARY 
BIBLIOTHEQUE  NATIONALE 


[Atd^tVted  6y  authority  of  the  Surveyor-General  of  Newfoundland.'] 


0 


7 


HAND-BOOK  ^-^// 


or 


NEWFOUNDLAND: 


CONTAINING    AN    ACCOUNT    Or    ITS 


AGRICULTURAL  AND  MINERAL  LANDS, 

ITS  FORESTS. 


AMD 


OTHER   NATURAL  RESOURCES. 


UKrtfe  a  gtap  of  tfee  Jslanb. 


BOSTON: 
PRINTED    BY    DOYLE    AND    WHITTLE, 

1886. 


■u  •';'■ 


PREFACE. 


TiiE  want  of  a  Hand-book,  containing  full  sind  accurate 
information  regarding  the  various  natural  resources  of  New- 
foundland, has  long  been  felt.  In  the  Crown  Lands'  Depart- 
ment constant  inconvenience  is  caused  by  the  vrant  of  some 
authoritative  compendium,  adapted  to  popular  use,  con- 
taining information  regarding  the  Crown  Lands,  the  Forests, 
and  Minerals  of  the  Colony. 

The  absence  of  such  a  manual  suggested  to  mo  the  com- 
pilation of  a  small  volume  containing  the  latest  and  most 
trustworthy  information  on  these  subjects.  I'ortunately  I 
prevailed  on  the  Rev.  M.  Harvoy  to  undertake  the  prepara- 
tion of  this  Hand-book.  His  knowledge  of  the  subject,  as 
evinced  in  his  various  works  on  Newfoundland,  is  a  sufficient 
guarantee  that  this  work  will  be  safe  in  his  hands,  and  will 
be  found  accurate  and  adapted  for  general  circulation. 

He  has  condensed  within  a  moderate  compass  the  whole 
of  the  information  regarding  the  extent,  the  Mituation,  and 
character  of  the  lands  adapted  to  agricultural  purposes,  which 
had  been  accumulated  for  years,  but  was  inaccessible  to  the 
general  public.  Ho  has  also  given  full  information  regard- 
ing the  lumbering  and  mining  districts.     An  abstract  of  the 


PREFACE. 


amended  Crown  Lands'  Act  is  also  furnished,  togotboi   with 
other  important  information. 

Such  a  compendium  can  hardly  fail  to  prove  useful  in 
promoting  the  settlement  of  the  country  and  the  develop- 
ment of  its  natural  resources. 

J.   O.   FRASER, 

Surveyor-  General. 

St.  John's,  Nbwfodndlamd.  Oct.  2,  1886. 


r 


"thor  with 


useful  in 
develop. 


CONTENTS. 


^eral. 


Pm 


GENERAL  PRELIMINARY  REMARKS. 

Causes  which  have  retarded  the  Settlement  of  the  Island  and  the  Culti* 

vation  of  the  Soil.  —  Bad  Laws.  —  Monopolies.  —  French  Treaty 

Privileges.  —  Prevailing  Delusions  regarding  the  Sterility  of  the 

Soil  and  the  Severity  of  the  Climate 

CHAPTER  I. 
A  General  Survey  of  the  Extent  of  the  Agricultural  Lands.  —  Valleyi 
of  the  Exploits,  the  Gander,  and  the  liumber.  —  Extent  of  fertile 
Soil  in  each.  —  Smaller  Sections  of  good  Land.  —  Total  known 
Quantities  of  Land  suitable  for  Settlement.  —  Opinions  regarding 
the  Agricultural  Capabilities  of  the  Country 


16 


CHAPTER  II. 

The  West  Coast  as  an  Agricultural  Region.  —  Superiority  of  its  Natural 
Resources.  —  The  Codroy  Valleys.  —  Geographical  Description.  — 
Authorities  cited  as  to  Soil,  Timber,  etc.  —  Mr.  Murray's  Survey. 

—  Mr.  J.  P.  Ilowley's  Township  Survey  of  Codroy.  —  Statements 
of  Monsignor  Sears  and  Others.  —  St.  George's  Bay,  its  extensive 
fertile  Lands.  —  Geographical  Description. — Mr.  Murray's  Surveys. 

—  His  Subdivisions  of  the  Areas.—  His  Account  of  the  Soil,  Timber, 
Minerals,  etc.  —  The  Rivers.  —  Valleys.  —  Hill  Ranges.  —  De- 
scription of  Port-a-Port.  —  Mr.  Howley's  Township  Surveys  of  St» 
George's  Bay.  —  His  Report  of  the  Soil,  Forests,  Mineral  Deposits, 
Coal-beds,  Gypsum,  etc. — Dr.  Bell's  Opinion  of  the  Region. — 
Mr.  Howley's  Account  of  Port-a-Port.  —  Bay  of  Islands.  —  Descrip- 
tion of  the  Humber  River  and  Valley.  —  Mr.  Murray's  Report.  — 
Extent  of  good  Soil.  —  Timber.  —  Marble  Beds.  —  Herring  Fishery 
in  Humber  Sound.  —  Country  between  the  Hu  r  and  Notre 
Dame  Bay.  —  Great  level  Plain  across  the  Island. — Mr.  C.  J. 
Harvey's  Road  Survey  of  1878.  —  His  Report  of  the  Soil  and 
Timber.  —  Prospects  of  Settlers,  etc 21 

CHAPTER  III. 
The  East  Coast.  —  Valleys  of  the  Exploits,   Gander,  and   Gambo.  — 
Geograpliical  Description  of  the  Exploits  River  and  Valley.  —  Mr. 
Murray's  Survey.  —  Extent  of  good  Lands. — Forests,  etc.  —  Mr.     .. 
Howley's   Survey  of  the  Upper  Valley  of  the   Exploits. — The 
Gander  River,  Lake,  and  Valley. — Vast  Extent  of  Agricultural     ■ 
Land.  —  Immense  Pine  Forests,   etc.  —  Fertility  of   the   Soil.  — 
Mining  Prospects.  —  Gambo  River.  —  The  smaller  fertile  Belts      .      60 


6 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


Pass 


Bfr.  C.  J.  Harrcy's  Township  Surveys  In  tho  Peninsula  of  Avalon, 
along  tiic  Lino  of  Railway.  —  His  Reports  of  1883  and  1884.  —  Ex- 
tent of  Agricultural  Lands.  —  Tinibt-r,  etc.  —  Big  Barren  Pond, 
Hodge  Water.  —  Goulds  Brook  Valley,  Colinot  Valley.  —  Dildo.— 
Qcncral  Character  of  tho  Region.  —  Census  of  1874. — Extent  of 
Agricultural  Operations  at  that  Date.  —  Advance  of  Agrirulture 
during  the  last  Eight  Years.  —  Returns.  —  Statements  of  good 
Authorities  as  to  tho  Soil,  Climate,  etc GO 

CHAPTER  V. 

The  Forests  of  the  Island.  —  Varieties  of  Timber.  —  Tho  Gander 
Country  as  a  Lumbering  Region.  —  Mr.  Murray's  Report. — Mr. 
Howley's  Report.  —The  Exploits  Valley.  —  Its  Forests. —Tho 
Ilumbor.  —  Its  Capabilities  for  Lumbering.  —  Extent  of  Forests.  — 
Quantities  of  Pine  Timber 69 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Climate.  —  Salubrity  of  the  Climate.  —Fogs,  their  Cause,  limited  Ex- 
tent. —  Temperature  as  sliown  by  Observations.  —  Frosts.  —  Rain- 
fall   78 

CHAPTER   VII. 

Mineral  Resources.  —  Discovery  of  Mineral  Deposits. — Progress  of 
Copper  Mining. — Tilt  Cove,  Betts  Cove  and  Little  Bay  Mines. — 
Export  of  Copper  Ore.  —  Geological  Report  of  the  Mining  Region. 
—  Favorable  Indications.  —  Mode  of  Occurrence  of  the  Ore. — 
Tho  Serpentine  Development,  its  great  Extent.  —  Lead  and  other 
Ores.  —  Gold  discovered.  —  The  Auriferous  Quartz  at  Brigus.  — 
Gypsum.  —  Marble.  —  Roofing  Slate.  —  Coal  Areas.  —  St.  George's 
Bay.  —  Huniber  River  and  Grand  Lake  Coal  Fields.  — Coal  Scams 
discovered.  —  Borings  for  Coal  near  Grand  Lake    ....      79 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

The  Crown  Lands'  Acts  of  1884  and  1885.  —  Abstract  of  Enactments  as 
to  Lands,  Forests,  and  Minerals.  — Provision  for  Securing  Home- 
stead Rights. —  Licenses  for  Gold  Mining        .        *        ...      95 


APPENDICES. 

I.     Returns  of  the  Mines  to  latest  Date. — Value  of  all  tho  Ore 

exported «...  103 

II.     Table  of  Postage  Rates  . 103 

III.  Tables  of  Distances      .        .        '. 109 

IV.  Census  of  1884.  —  Abstract 118 

V.     Roads,  Railways,  Steam  Commnnication 114 

YI.     Customs' Tariff •        .  115 


CO 


GENERAL    REMARKS. 


69 


FALSE    IMPRESSIONS   OF   THE    SOIL   AND   CLIMATE. 

Up  to  a  comparatively  recent  period  the  belief  was  almost 
universal  that  the  island  of  Newfoundland  was  utterly  barren, 
and  its  natural  resources  of  the  poorest  description.  Most 
people  had  the  impression  that  it  was  a  dismal,  fog-enveloped 
country,  and  that  its  eavage  climate  and  poor  soil  precluded 
all  attempts  at  agriculture.  Its  only  resource  was  supposed 
to  bo  the  fish  in  its  encompassing  seas ;  while  the  island  was 
regarded  as  a  barren  rock,  on  which  a  limited  number  of 
fishermen  might  obtain  a  precarious  subsistence  by  catching 
and  curing  fish.  The  interior  was  pictured  as  a  howling 
wilderness  of  swamps,  bogs,  and  rocks.  Its  forest-growths 
were  represented  to  be  of  the  most  wretched  and  stunted 
description ;  while  the  idea  that  it  might  contain  some  valu- 
able minerals  was  never  entertained. 

How  did  these  erroneous  and  unfounded  impressions 
arise  ?  The  island  is  England's  oldest  colony.  It  has  been 
inhabited  for  more  than  three  hundred  years  by  an  English- 
speaking  race.  How  came  it,  then,  to  be  so  long  misknown 
and  misrepresented  ? 


CAUSES   OF  THE    UNFAVORABLE   IMPRESSIONS. 

A  number  of  circumstances  combined  to  create  these  un- 
favorable impressions  regarding  the  soil,  climate,  and  natural 
resources  of  the  country,  and  to  retard  the  development  of 
its  capabilitiea.     Strange  to  say,  the  immense  fish-wealth  of 


8  GENERAL  REMARKS. 

its  surrounding  seas  was  the  principal  cause  of  the  resources 
of  the  land  being  overlooked  and  neglected.  The  first  comers 
were  attracted  by  the  productive  and  inexhaustible  fisheries 
around  the  shores  and  on  the  Great  Banks.  .  These  fisheries 
were  at  first  carried  on  by  capitalists  living  in  the  west  of 
England,, who  sent  out  fishing-vessels  and  fishermen  early  in 
the  summer  to  prosecute  this  industry,  and  to  return  on  the 
approach  of  winter,  bringing  with  them  the  produce  of  the 
season's  toils.  This  fishery,  which  was  mainly  one  for  catch- 
ing and  curing  codfish,  proved  to  be  very  lucrative.  Speedily, 
a  large  amount  of  capital  was  invested  in  it ;  great  fortunes 
were  built  up,  and  it  gradually  ibll  into  the  hands  of  a  num- 
ber of  wealthy  and  powerful  monopolists. 

MONOPOLISTS    AND   THE   FISHERIES. 

I'L  was  their  interest  to  retain  the  fisheries  entirely  in  their 
own  hands,  and  to  keep  the  shores  of  the  island  clear  of  all  in- 
terlopers, for  the  exclusive  use  of  their  own  servants,  the  fish- 
ermen from  England.  Their  grand  aim,  therefore,  was  to 
prevent  the  settlement  of  the  island,  and  to  compel  the  fisher- 
men to  return  homo  when  the  fishing  season  was  at  an  end. 
Should  a  resident  population  spring  up,  they  might  become 
formidable  competitors  with  the  "  merchant  adventurers,"  as 
they  were  called,  and  greatly  lessen  their  profits.  Their 
whole  policy,  therefore,  was  directed  to  the  one  object  of 
preventing  colonists  from  taking  up  their  abode  in  the  island. 


UNJUST  LAWS. 

In  this  they  were  wonderfully  successful  for  a  long  period. 
Being  an  influential  class  of  men,  they  we're  able,  by  their 
representations,  to  persuade  the  British  Government  to  enact 
laws  which  prohibited  any  one  from  occupying  and  cultivatr- 
ing  the  land,  under  heavy  penalties,  and  even  from  erecting 
houses,  except  such  as  were  absolutely  necessary  in  carrying 
on  the  fisheries.  The  captains  of  the  fishing-vessels  were 
obliged  to  give  bonds  to  bring  back  to  England  each  year  as 


GENERAL  REMARKS. 


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inany  fishermen  as  they  carried  out.  The  successive  gov- 
ernors were  forbidden  to  make  any  grants  of  land  or  to  permit 
the  erection  of  dwelling-houses,  or  to  grant  any  privileges 
which  might  encourage  persons  to  remain  in  th»  island. 

THE   FISHERIES   A   NURSERY  FOR    SEAMEN. 

It  may  seem  strange  to  us  in  these  days  that  any  govern- 
ment should  be  induced  to  pass  such  laws.  The  considera- 
tion which  the  monopolists  pressed  upon  the  English  legis- 
lators was,  that  these  fisheries  were  the  grand  nurseries  for 
training  hardy  seamen  to  man  the  navy ;  and  that,  if  any 
number  of  them  settled  in  Newfoundland,  their  services 
would  be  lost  to  the  nation.  Further,  these  selfish  men 
never  ceased  their  efforts  to  discredit  the  country  as  a  place 
for  settlement.  Their  agents  sedulously  endeavored  to  im- 
press the  belief  on  the  English  people,  and  on  successive 
English  Governments,  that  the  island  was  hopelessly  barren, 
and  utterly  worthless  except  as  a  fishing-station,  and  that  its 
clinxato  forbade  any  attempts  at  agriculture.  The  people, 
themselves,  who  visited  the  island,  saw  only  the  rocky  sea- 
margin,  and  never  penetrated  the  interior ;  and  they,  too, 
got  impressed  with  the  belief  that  the  whole  country  was  of 
the  same  character  as  the  narrow  strip  on  which  they  dried 
their  fish.  In  this  way  it  grew  up  to  be  a  settled  and  almost 
universal  belief  that  NewfoundUnd  was  worthless  and  irre- 
claimable, —  a  repulsive  region,  which  could  never  be  a  home 
for  civilized  man. 


period. 
)y  their 
Lo  enact 
ultivat- 
rectin;? 
irrying 
s  were 
year  as 


FIRST    SETTLERS. 

But  curiously  enough,  as  years  rolled  on,  in  spite  of  all 
the  efforts  of  the  monopolists,  people  began  to  settle  in  the 
island.  The  attractions  of  the  country  were  such  that  they 
set  the  laws  at  defiance ;  and,  notvvithstanding  all  the  harsh 
treatment  they  received,  they  determined  to  mak»  homes  for 
themselves  here.  These  sturdy  settlers  increased  in  num- 
bers, fought  out  the  battle  of  freedom  against  the  monopo- 


• 


10  GENERAL  REMARKS. 

lists,  and  finally  conquered  them.  England  at  last  discov- 
ered her  mistake,  and  repealed  the  obnoxious  laws  which 
prohibited  settlement  and  the  cultivation  of  the  soil.  But  it 
was  a  long-drawn  conflict,  lasting  for  more  than  one  hundred 
and  fifty  years.  Only  eighty-five  years  have  elapsed  since 
it  became  lawful  to  erect  a  dwellinar-house,  and  enclose  and 
cultivate  a  portion  of  land.  It  is  necessary  to  mention  these 
facts  in  order  to  account  for  the  erroneous  impressions  re- 
garding the  soil  and  climate  which  have  prevailed  so  exten- 
sively, and  to  explain  how  it  is  that  the  agricultural  and  other 
economic  resources  of  the  country  are  still  so  largely  unde- 
veloped. While  in  the  neighboring  provinces  the  British 
Government  spent  large  sums  of  money  in  promoting  coloni- 
zation and  aiding  settlers,  in  Newfoundland  settlement  was 
sternly  forbidden  by  law,  and  the  cultivation  of  the  soil  was 
a  penal  ofience. 

FRENCH   TREATY   RIGHTS. 

Even  these  did  not  constitute  the  only  discouragements. 
By  treaties  with  the  French,  the  British  Government  gave 
them  fishing-privileges  along  the  whole  western,  northern, 
and  .1  portion  of  the  north-eastern  shores  of  the  island. 
Though  no  territorial  rights  were  conveyed  to  the  French  by 
these  treaties,  yet  the  practical  result  was  that  the  people  of 
Newfoundland  were  excluded  from  nearly  half  the  island, 
and  this  by  far  the  best  fittefl  for  agricultural  pursuits.  They 
were  cooped  up  chiefly  around  the  shores  of  the  peninsula  of 
Avalon,  where  the  soil  is  poorest.     They  were  thus  led  to  M 

look  solely  to  the  sea  for  their  subsistence,  and  became  a 
race  of  fishermen,  without  any  inclination  or  aptitude  for 
other  employments.  Farming,  lumbering,  and  mining  never 
entered  into  their  calculations.  Knowing  nothing  of  the  in- 
terior, they  imbibed  the  current  belief  that  it  was  barren 
and  worthless.  How  could  it  be  otherwise,  when  the  first 
road,  nine»miles  in  length,  from  St.  John's  to  Portugal  Cove, 
was  not  constructed  till  1825,  or  only  sixty  years  ago  ! 


GENERAL    REMARKS. 


u 


4 

I 

I 


FIRST   ATTEMPTS   AT   AOniCULTURE. 

From  the  timo  when  the  first  land  grants  were  legalized, 
the  settlers  began  to  enclose  and  cultivnto  small  patches  of 
soil  around  their  fishing-hamlets,  wherever  any  was  found  fit 
for  cultivation.  Their  experience  proved  that  wherever 
judicious  industry  was  expended  on  the  land,  even  in  spots 
which  seemed  peculiarly  unpromising  and  difficult  to  clear,  the 
soil  yielded  excellent  returns.  Those  who  were  wise  enough 
to  combine  fishing  and  farming  became  the  most  prosperous 
and  independent  of  the  working-classes.  Year  after  year 
the  cultivation  of  the  soil  extended,  in  the  neighborhood  of 
tho  various  settlements  sprinkled  around  the  shores,  and 
good  crops  were  raised.  The  country  around  St.  John's, 
though  containing  naturally  almost  the  poorest  soil  in  the 
island,  was  gradually  covered  with  smiling  farms  and  com- 
fortable homesteads.  Oats,  barley,  hay,  potatoes,  turnips, 
and  other  root  crops  were  found  to  flourish  luxuriantly.  In 
1874  the  census  showed  that  3G,000  acres  were  under  culti- 
vation, which,  with  the  cattle,  sheep,  and  horses,  which  tho 
land  sustained,  were  valued  at  $2,000,000.  The  annual 
produce  was  valued  at  $612,350.  This  extent  of  cultivation 
has,  no  doubt,  considerably  increased  during  the  last  ten 
years.  And  it  must  bo  remembered  that  this  is  tho  result 
of  the  limited  efibrt  made  by  the  people,  in  this  direction, 
around  tho  various  settlements,  on  the  shore  where  the  soil 
is  poorest,  and  the  harsh  winds,  blowing  over  tho  ocean,  aro 
most  felt.  The  limited  extent  of  land  yet  cultivated,  in  an 
island  one- sixth  larger  than  Ireland,  having  a  temperate  cli- 
mate, and,  as  we  shall  see  presently,  immense  tracts  of  fertile 
land,  is  sufficiently  explained  by  the  various  circumstances 
already  mentioned.  What  has  been  done  in  agri^lturo 
proves  that,  so  far  from  the  soil  being  intractable  and  Iwfrren, 
it  yields,  on  cultivation,  rich  and  abundant  crops  in  great 
variety.  Tho  population  of  tho  island  now  approaches 
200,000,  and  the  greater  part  of  all  the  food  they  require  is 
still  imported  from  the  United  States  and  Canada.     Millions 


12  GENERAL  REMARKS. 


Ill 


of  dollars  arc  expended  in  the  purchase  of  this  food  in  the 
neighboring  countries. 

In  1880  the  value  of  agricultural  produce  imported  was 
I  $2,800,000.     Wore  there  an  agricultural  population  settled 

on  the  fertile  lands  the  greater  part  of  all  that  is  required 
for  consumption  could  be  raised  on  the  island,  where  a  profit- 
able market  Avould  bo  found  among  those  employed  in  gath- 
ering in  the  harvests  of  the  sea. 

To  say  nothing  of  lumbering  dnd  mining,  an  agricultural 
population,  numbering  hundreds  of  thousands,  might  find 
comfortable  homes,  and  a  profitable  outlet  for  their  industry, 
in  those  unoccupied  fertile  lands.  In  mines  and  forests 
many  thousands  more  might  find  remunerative  employment 
were  these  natural  resources  developed. 

That  these  are  not  mere  random  assertions  or  exaggerated 
statements  will  be  abundantly  evident  from  the  various 
authorities  which  will  bo  quoted  in  these  pages,  and  the 
array  of  facts  by  which  these  conclusions  will  be  sustained. 

The  principal  evidence  which  will  be  submitted  on  this 
subject  will  bo  derived  from  the  reports  of  the  geological 
survey  of  the  island,  and  from  the  reports  of  the  various 
Government  surveyors  who,  for  some  years,  have  been  en- 
gaged in  surveying  and  mapping  the  crown  lands. 

THE   GEOLOGICAL   SURVEY. 

The  geological  survey  was  commenced  in  18G4,  under  the 
direction  of  Sir  William  Logan.  He  selected  Alexander 
Murray,  F.G.S.,  who  had  been  for  twenty  years  his  col- 
league in  conducting  the  geological  survey  of  Canada,  to  take 
charge  of  the  survey  of  this  island.  It  is  needless  to  say 
that  Mr.  Murray's  wide  experience  and  high  reputation  as 
one  m  the  foremost  geologists  of  the  day  amply  justified  the 
selection.  For  nearly  eighteen  years  he  prosecuted  the 
work,  having  had  for  a  good  portion  of  that  time  the  able 
assistance  of  Mr.  James  P.  Howley. 


GENERAL    REMARKS. 


18 


the 


ANNUAL    REPORTS. 

The  results  of  their  joint  labors  were  embodied  in  annual 
reports  which  have  been  reprinted  in  a  single  volume  en- 
titled, "  Geological  Survey  of  Newfoundland.  By  Alexander 
Murray,  C.M.G.,  F.G.S.,  Director,  and  James  P.  Fowley, 
F.G.S.,  Assistant.     London  :  Edward  Sandford.    1881." 

It  contains  a  valuable  record  of  a  survey  which  has  com- 
pletely banished  the  old  delusions  regarding  the  barrenness 
of  the  soil  and  the  poverty  of  the  natural  resources  of  the 
island.  Newfoundland  now  standi,  before  the  world  as  a 
country  having  very  great  agricultural  resources  which  only 
require  the  strong  arm  of  labor  for  their  development.  Not 
onl}'^  so,  but  its  forest  wealth  is  shown  to  be  great,  and  its 
mineral  deposits  of  immense  value.  Scientific  explorers  of 
the  highest  character  have  put  all  these  facts  beyond  doubt. 
Representations,  founded  on  ignorance  and  prejudice,  which 
had  so  long  retarded  colonization  and  progress,  have  been 
completely  disproved ;  and  it  can  no  longer  bo  disputed  that 
the  natural  resources  of  the  island  are  of  a  very  high  char- 
acter, requiring  only  capital,  skill,  and  labor  to  develop  them 
into  great  and  important  industries. 


BARREN   REGIONS. 

Of  course,  in  making  such  statements,  it  is  not  at  all  meant 
to  convey  the  impression  that  the  whole  island  possesses  a 
productive  soil,  or  even  that  the  greater  part  of  it  is  a  region 
of  fertility.  On  the  contrary,  there  are  wide  tracts  irre- 
claimably  barren,  such  as  the  southern  portion  between  the 
head-waters  of  the  Exploits  River  and  the  sea,  which  is  a  dreary 
waste,  almost  entirely  devoid  of  vegetation,  and  for  months 
each  year  enveloped  in  fogs,  more  or  less,  —  a  cold,  gloomy. 


unattractive  region. 


There  are  other  large  tracts  covered 


with  boulders.  It  is  also  true  that  there  are  extensive  areas 
in  the  peninsula  of  Avalon,  in  the  great  central  plateau,  and 
also  in  the  great  northern  peninsula,  the  surface  of  which 
is  covered  with  marshes,  and  what  are  called  by  the  people, 


T 


T 


14 


GENERAL    REMARKS. 


not  inappropriately,  "  barrens."  So  numeroua  are  the  ponda 
and  lakes  that  fully  a  third  of  the  surface  of  the  whole  island 
is  occupied  by  them,  But,  just  as  in  Canada  and  +.he  United 
States,  there  are  fertiio  belts  in  various  localities,  which, 
when  united,  presei.^,  an  immense  area  of  agricultural  lands. 
These  fertile  tracts  are  found  mainly  in  the  valleys  through 
which  the  principal  rivers  run,  and  around  the  heads  of  the 
great  bays  which  penetrate  the  land  deeply.  Nearly  all  the 
valleys  are  well  wooded,  and  all  abound  with  level  and  fertile 
tracts,  often  of  immense  extent. 

Here  it  is  that  an  agricultural  population  will  find  abundant 
room,  and  farming  is  likely  to  become  a  great  and  important 
industry.  In  the  same  valleys  are  the  great  forest-growths 
of  the  island. 

The  mineral  lands,  which  for  the  most  part  present  a 
barren,  repulsive  appearance  on  the  surface,  are  found  in 
broken,  hilly  regions,  where  the  formations  have  been  greatlj 
disturbed  by  upheavals  and  depressions. 

,  OBJECT   OF   THE    HAND-BOOK. 

It  is  the  object  of  these  pages  to  point  out  the  position, 
extent,  and  character  of  these  fertile  belts,  as  ascertained  by 
the  geological  and  other  survc3's,  so  as  to  enable  those  who 
are  disposed  to  invest  their  capital  in  lands  suited  for  settle- 
ment, to  discover  the  most  desirable  localities,  and  also  to 
aid  those  who  may  be  desirous  of  settling  on  the  unoccupied 
lands,  as  farmers,  in  finding  such  a  soil  as  may  repay  their 
industrious  efibrts.  The  forests  and  mineral  lands,  as  well  as 
the  other  economic  resources  of  the  country,  will  also  receive 
due  attention.  ■■:>-'; 


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EESOURCES  OF  NEWFOUNDLAND. 


CHAPTER  I. 

GENERAL  SURVEY  OF    TUE  AGRICULTURAL    LANDS.      < 

GOOD   LANDS. 

There  are  three  great  rivers  in  the  island, — the  Exploits, 
the  Humber,  and  the  Gander ;  and  it  is  in  the  valleys  through 
which  thoy  and  their  tributaries  flow  that  the  largest  areas  of 
fertile  land  are  to  be  found.  But  along  the  valleys  through 
1^  which  the  smaller  streams  run  good  land,  of  greater  or  less 
jxtent,  is  also  found,  sometimes  of  considerable  extent  and 
jreat  fertility.  The  same  holds  good  regarding  the  heads 
)f  the  bays,  where  level  tracts  of  good  soil  are  found  of 
variable  extent. 

EXPLOITS   RIVER   AND   VALLEY. 

The  largest  of  the  three  main  arteries  is  the  River  Exploits. 
It  rises,"  says  Mr.  Murray,  "  in  the  extreme  south-western 
angle  of  the  island,  and  within  twelve  miles  of  the  southern 
coast,  near  La  Poile,  and^  flowing  in  a  north-easterly  direc- 
tion, terminates  in  the  Bay  of  Exploits,  Notre  Dame  Bay. 
The  distances  from  the  sources  to  the  outlet  measure  very 
nearly  200  miles  in  an  air-line.    The  upper  waters  flow  in 


16 


HAND-BOOK  OF 


two  minor  brnnchcs,  tho  Exploits  proper  and  tho  Victoria 
branch,  of  about  eqiml  size,  both  of  which  empty  into  Red 
Indian  Luke,  which  itself  is  upwards  of  3G  miles  long,  with 
an  average  width  of  about  two  miles,  and  very  deep  ;  whence 
flows  tho  main  stream  for  72  miles  to  tho  sea.  The  normal 
surface  of  Red  Indian  Lake  is  408  feet  above  tho  sea,  and  its 
total  area  is  GO  square  miles.  There  are  numerous  tribu- 
taries to  this  great  river,  some  of  which  might  with  justice  bo 
termed  rivers  themselves ;  and  tho  whole  area  drained  by  the 
Exploits  valley  is  nothing  under  3,000  square  miles." 

Wo  shall  presently  see  what  proportion  of  this  great  valley 
is  available  for  settlement,  and  what  is  the  character  of  its 


forest-growth. 


HUMBER   RIVER    AND    VALLEY. 


The  next  largest  river  is  the  Iluraber,  falling  into  tho 
Humber  arm  of  the  Bay  of  Islands,  after  draining  an  area 
of  2,000  square  miles.  The  main  branch  of  tho  Ilumber 
rises  about  20  miles  inland  from  Bonne  Bay,  and,  after  a 
circuitous  course,  falls  into  Deer  Lake.  The  other  branch 
rises  north  of  Sandy  Lake  and  flows  through  it  into  Grand 
Lake  ;  thence,  by  Junction  Brook,  it  joins  the  main  branch, 
six  miles  above  Deer  Lake.  From  this  lake,  which  is  16 
miles  long,  tho  Humber  flows  majestically  into  tho  Bay  of 
Islands.  The  scenery  of  the  Humber  is  among  the  grandest 
in  tho  island.  The  agricultural  lands  and  the  forests  of  this 
large  valley  will  be  described  in  their  proper  place. 


GANDER  RIVER   AND  VALLEY. 

The  Gander  is  the  third  •f  the  large  rivers  of  the  island, 
and  drains  an  area  of  2,500  square  miles,  falling  into  Gander 
Bay.  Its  principal  branch  rises  near  Bay  D'Espoir,  on  the 
southern  coast,  and  running  north-easterly,  falls  into  the 
great  Gander  Lake.  The  other,  after  a  winding  course, 
falls  into  the  same  lake,  whence  the  united  stream  runs 
northerly  for  31  miles  into  Gander  Bay.  Gander  Lake  is  33 
miles  long,  and  has  an  area  of  44  square  miles. .,       ^     '  ■  'x' 


T 


NEWFOUNDLAND  RESOURCES. 


17 


the 


SEATS   OF  PUmiB   AaRlCDI.TURAL   SETTLEMENTS. 

Tlicso,  then,  are  tho  thrco  main  arteries  of  the  island ; 
and  in  their  valleys  are  found  tho  largest  and  best  stretches 
of  fertile  land.  These  are  destined  to  be  the  greut  seats 
of  agricultural* colonies.  But  tho  smaller  rivers  also  present 
considerable  areas  of  good  land  along  their  l^anks.  Terra 
Nova  Eivcr  is  a  considerable  stream,  noted  for  its  rapids, 
falling  into  Bonavista  Bay.  Tho  Garabo  also  discharges 
here.  Colinet  and  Rocky  rivers  fall  into  St.  Mary's  Bay. 
The  Codroy  River  rises  in  the  Long  Range  of  mountains, 
and  flows  through  a  valley  containing  the  finest  land  in  the 
island.  Tho  rivers  discharging  their  waters  on  the  southern 
coast  have  short  courses,  and,  for  the  most  part,  rush  in 
turbulent  torrents  to  the  sea.  The  principal  of  these  arc 
Bay  D'East  River,  Bay  Do  North  River,  Little  River,  White 
Bear  River,  and  La  Poile  River.  Tho  rivers  and  brooks 
which  discharge  on  the  south  side  of  St.  George's  Bay  inter- 
lock with  the  tributaries  of  the  Exploits,  taking  their  origin 
amons:  the  mountains  of  the  Long  Range;  after  leaving 
which  they  flow  in  a  westerly  course,  through  a  wide  expanse 
of  level  country,  to  the  sea.  Along  these  valleys  opening 
out  along  the  shores  of  St.  George's  Bay  are  some  of  the 
finest  and  most  desirable  agricultural  lands,  capable  of  sus- 
taining a  large  population,  if  duly  cultivated. 


EXTENT  OF  FERTILE  LANDS. 

Before  going  into  details,  it  may  be  desirable  to. present  a 
general  outline  of  the  extent  of  agricultural  lands  contained 
in  these  valleys.  Mr.  Murray,  the  geological  surveyor, 
states  in  his  reports  that  the  regions  near  and  surrounding 
St.  George's  Bay,  including  the  Codroy  valleys  and  Poi-t-a- 
Port,  contain  730  square  miles,  more  or  less  suitable  for  set- 
tlement, "the  most  favored  tract  being  the  coal-measure 
districts,  where  the  surface  is  often  flat  or  gently  undulating 
over  a  great  many  acres."  Bay  of  Islands,  including  the 
valley  of  the  Humber,  Deer  Lake,  and  Grand  Lake  country, 


18  HAND-BOOK  OF 

contains  600  square  miles  suitable  for  settlement,  —  being  a 
total  of  1,330  square  miles  in  this  single  district  of  land 
"perfectly  capable  of  being  reclaimed,  and  converted  into 
fairly  productive  grazing  and  arable  land."  **  These  valleys," 
says  the  report,  "are  well  wooded,  producing,  in  many  in- 
stances, large  pines,  juniper,  or  tamarack  (the  latter  a  species 
of  larch) ,  fine  yellow-birch,  and  other  valuable  timber.  In  the 
valley  of  the  Humber  this  is  especially  the  case,  where  a 
large  area  of  country  appears  to  be  provided  with  all  the 
necessary  material  for  ship-building  in  a  remarkable  de- 
gree." 

LAND  IN  THE  GANDER  COUNTRY. 

Passing  now  to  the  Gander  country,  on  the  eastern  coast, 
—  on  the  Gander  River  and  Lake,  with  the  tributaries,  and 
including  the  Gambo  and  Terra  Nova  valleys,  together  with 
the  tracts  at  the  heads  of  the  bays,  there  are,  according  to 
Mr.  Murray,  1,700  square  miles  available  for  settlement. 
The  Exploits  valley  and  Red  Indian  Lake,  together  with  the 
lands  surrounding  the  estuary  of  the  Exploits,  contain  1,620 
square  miles.  Thus  we  have'  a  total,  in  these  great  valleys 
alone,  of  4,650  square  miles,  or  2,976,000  acres,  fit  for  set- 
tlement, and  capable  of  sustaining  a  very  large  population. 

SMALLER   TRACTS   OF   GOOD   SOIL. 

It  must  be  obs'^rved  that  the  foregoing  comprise  only  the 
more  extensive  tracts  of  fertile  land  at  present  known.  In 
addition,  however,  there  are  many  smaller  portions  of  excel- 
lent soil  around  the  heads  of  all  the  bayy,  along  the  margins 
of  the  smaller  rivers,  and  on  several  of  tlie  islands,  such  as 
Random  Island,  Trinity  Bay.  These  when  united  form 
no  inconsiderable  area.  The  Salmonier  Arm  and  River  may 
be  named  as  a  district  where  there  is  a  very  considerable 
extent  of  good  soil,  but  little  of  which  is  yet  under  cultiva- 
tion. The  peninsula  of  St.  Mary's,  the  north  side  of 
Smith's  Sound,  in  Trinity  Bay,  Goose  Bay,  in  Bonavista 
Bay,  are  also   fertile  districts.     Along  the  railway  track. 


NEWFOUNDLAND  RESOUBCES. 


19 


between  Holyrood  and  Harbor  Grace,  surveyors  have  been 
at  work  for  some  time  laying  off  the  lands  in  townships. 
Here,  too,  at  intervals,  small  areas  of  good  land  are  found, 
on  which  a  considerable  number  of  farms  may  be  cultivated, 
having  the  great  advantage  of  proximity  to  the  railway. 
When  we  add  to  these  the  land  already  under  culture  around 
the  various  settlements,  and  the  immense  tracts  of  land 
throughout  the  peninsula  of  Avalon  which  are  admirably 
adapted  for  cattle  and  sheep  raising,  the  area  of  the  whole 
can  scarcely  be  under  2,000,000  acres.  Thus  we  have  close 
on  5,000,000  of  acres  which  are  known  to  be  well  adapted 
to  agricultural  or  grazing  purposes.  The  more  carefully  the 
surface  of  the  country  is  explored,  the  more  numerous  are 
found  to  be  the  reclaimable  portions  which  industry  could 
convert  into  productive  farms  or  valuable  cattle  runs. 


i 


MR.  Murray's  opinion  of  the  soil  and  forests. 

Such  being  the  agricultural  capabilities  of  the  island,  it  is 
not  surprising  to  find  the  geological  surveyor,  Mr.  Murray, 
using  the  following  words :  "  In  round  numbers  the  total 
population  is  about  200,000  souls,  supported  almost  alto- 
gether in  provisions  by  the  Dominion  of  Canada  and  the 
United  States.  While  I  have  no  hesitation  in  affirming  that, 
were  the  island  treated  like  any  of  the  maritime  provinces 
of  the  Dominion,  where  mining,  lumbering,  and  agriculture 
are  duly  encouraged,  the  time  need  not  be  far  distant  when 
the  numbers  of  the  inhabitants  might  be  reckoned  by  tens 
or  hundreds  of  thousands,  and  eventually  by  millions."* 


JOINT  committee's   OPINION. 

To  the  same  effect  we  may  cite  a  report  of  a  Joint  Com- 
mittee of  the  Council  and  House  of  Assembly,  made  in  1880  : 
"Our  agricultural  industry,  though  prosecuted  to  a  valuable 
extent,  is  yet  susceptible  of  very  enlarged  development. 
Vast  stretches  of  agricultural  land,  extending  from  Trinity 
Bay,  north,  along  the  heads  of  Bonavista  Bay,  Gander  Bay, 


20 


HAND-BOOK  OP 


and  Exploits  River,  as  well  as  on  the  west  coast,  need  only 
the  employment  of  well-directed  labor  to  convert  them  into 
means  of  independent  support  for  thousands  of  the  popula- 
tion. .  .  .  The  inquiry  is  further  suggested  whether  this 
colony  should  not  become  an  exporter  oi  live  stock ;  and 
we  have  little  difficulty  in  affirming  this  position.  For 
grazing  purposes  we  have  large  tracts  that  we  believe  cannot 
be  surpassed  in  British  North  America ;  and  when  we  regard 
our  proximity  to  England,  and  the  all-important  consideration 
of  a  short  voyage  for  live  stock,  the  advantages  we  possess 
in  this  connection  are  too  manifest  to  be  the  subject  of  ques- 
tion or  argument."  * 


■r'T^'^  ^.-..T-.  f^- 


NEWFOUNDLAND  RESOURCES. 


91 


CHAPTER  n. 

THE    WEST  COAST  AS  AN  AGRICULTURAL   REGION.  —  COD- 
ROY  VALLEYS.  — ST.  GEORGE'S  BAY  — BAY  OF  ISLANDS. 

Having  thus  obtained  some  general  idea  of  the  extent  and 
position  of  the  agricultural  lands,  it  becomes  necessary  to  go 
more  into  detail,  and  furnish  some  account  of  the  character- 
istics and  capabilities  of  each  district  separately. 


THE   WEST   COAST   AS    AN  AGRICULTimAL    REGION. 

Wo  begin  with  the  west  coast  of  the  island,  because,  in 
an  agricultural  point  of  view,  it  is  by  far  the  most  important, 
having,  in  addition  to  a  large  extent  of  fertile  soil,  valuable 
forests,  coal-fields,  marble,  gypsum,  and  limestone  beds, 
while  the  climate  is  by  many  degrees  superior  to  that  of 
the  eastern  and  southern  shores.  There  is  also  reason  to 
believe  that  it  contains  valuable  mineral  deposits.  Here 
is  a  wide  field  for  settlers,  in  which  farming  and  cattle 
and  sheep  raising  could  be  carried  on  upon  an  extensive 
scale. 

The  superiority  of  its  soil  arises  from  the  fact  that  a  large 
portion  of  it  belongs  to  the  carboniferous  formation,  which  is 
not  found  to  be  developed  in  any  other  part  of  the  island. 
The  superiority  of  its  climate  is  caused  by  the  fact  that  it  is 
out  of  the  range  of  the  fogs  which  so  often  envelop  the 
south  and  south-eastern  coasts,  to  which  the}'^  are  largely 
confined  ;  and  also  because  the  cold  easterly  winds,  plowing 
over  the  Atlantic,  are  modified  before  reaching  the  west 
coast.  On  these  accounts  this  part  of  the  island  seems 
destined  to  become,  in  the  near  future,  the  seat  of  a  large 
agricultural  industry ;  while  on  the  east  coast  the  great 
valleys  of  the  Gander  and  Exploits  will  witness  a  similar 
development  in  farming  and  lumbering. 


22 


HAND-BOOK  OP 


THE  COD  ROY  VALLEYS. 


CODROY   RIVERS. 


A  glance  at  the  map  shows  us  that  the  Great  and  Little 
Codroy  rivers,  which  have  but  short  courses,  fall  into  the 
sea  about  16  miles  north  of  Cape  Ray,  and  six  miles  south- 
easterly from  Cape  Anguille.  Their  mouths  are  but  a  few 
miles  apart.  The  valley  which  they  drain,  though  of  no 
great  extent  comparatively,  is  one  of  the  finest  agricultui'al 
districts  in  the  island.  It  is  bounded  on  the  south-east  by 
the  Cape  Ray  mountains,  rising,  rugged  and  barren,  to  a 
height  of  2,000  feet.  The  Cape  Anguille  range  forms  its 
northern  boundary ;  and  these,  says  Mr.  Murray,  present  a 
soft  and  gentle  outfine,  while  the  higher  elevations  attain  an 
altitude  of  1,000  to  1,300  feet,  richly  covered  by  forest 
trees  nearly  to  the  summits." 

CODROY   VALLEY. 

The  lower  part  of  this  valley,  between  the  two  ranges  of 
hills,  gives  an  expanse  of  low,  flat  land,  the  breadth  of  the 
valley  being  about   12  miles.       In   the   upper  part  of  the 


valley   the   hill-ranges 


converge 


towards   each   other,   and 


"the  valley  gradually  becomes  more  and  more  contracted  in 
width  until  shut  in  nearly  altogether,  where  the  main  stream 
at  the  end  of  the  survey  becomes  split  up,  among  the  moun- 
tains of  the  Long  range,  into  a  succession  of  small  turbulent 
mountain  brooks." 


surveyor-general's  opinion. 

More  than  thirty  years  ago,  when  this  valley  was  almost 
uninhabited,  the  Surveyor-General  who  then  held  oflSce 
visited  Codroy,  and  in  his  report  gave  the  following  account 
of  the  region  :  "  The  extent  of  land  between  the  Great  and 
Little  Codroy  rivers,  and  on  the  north  side  of  the  former, 
may,  from  the  examination  made,  be  estimated  to  contain  an 
area  equal  to  70,000  acres.  The  whole  of  that  space 
consists  of  a  rich  loam,  capable  of  the  highest  degree  of  culti- 


NEWFOUNDLAND  RESOURCES. 


23 


vation,  and  fit  for  the  production  of  any  description  of  crop. 
Limestone  is  readily  obtained,  and  can  with  little  trouble  be 
made  to  contribute  to  the  support  of  the  land  where  it  is  so 
abundantly  found.  Timber  of  the  most  serviceable  descrip- 
tion covers,  for  the  most  part,  the  tract  here  referred  to. 
Birch  trees,  measuring  from  five  to  seven  feet  in  circum- 
ference, were  found  within  a  quarter  of  a  mile  of  the  shore, 
while  others  of  a  larger  growth  may  be  readily  procured 
at  a  short  distance  from  it.  Among  the  birch  are  mingled 
spruce  and  fir  of  all  sizes,  suitable  either  for  the  erection 
of  houses  or  the  construction  of  vessels.  From  information 
obtained  at  Codroy,  little  doubt  exists  that  coal  may  be 
procured,  and  that  without  much  difficulty,  toward  the 
eastern  end  of  the  river.  Lying  to  the  northward  of  the 
valuable  tract  of  land  referred  to  is  found  a  range  of  hilly 
ground,  admirably  adapted  for  grazing,  its  natural  produc- 
tions consisting  of  herbage,  which,  early  in  the  summer, 


attains  a  height  of  between  two  and  three  feet. 


In 


closing  the  remarks  on  this  river  it  is  doing  no  more  than 
justice  to  say  that  it  would  be  difficult  to  imagine  a  more 
beautiful  or  picturesque  scene  than  the  whole  presents  ;  and 
whether  with  reference  to  the  soil  around  it,  to  its  fisheries, 
or  to  its  geographical  situation,  forming.,  as  it  does,  part  of 
the  Northern  Head,  and  therefore  commanding  the  entrance 
to  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence,  a  more  desirable  or  important 
place  for  a  settlement  could  scarcely  be  found." 


MR.    MURRAY  ON   CODROY. 

Mr.  Murray,  in  carrying  out  the  geological  survey,  visited 
Codroy  in  1866,  and  his  report  in  regard  to  the  soil  fully 
sustained  that  of  the  authority  just  cited.  He  says  :  "  The 
area  occupied  by  level  or  gently  undulating  land  in  the  valley 
amounts,  by  rough  measurement  on  the  plan,  to  about  75 
square  miles,  or  48,000  square  acres,  a  very  l^rge  proportion 
of  which  is  available  for  settlement.  For  the  most  part  the 
country  is  well  wooded  with  stout  mixed  timber,  consisting 
chieflj'^  of  spruce,  balsam  firs,  yellow  birch,  frequently  of 


u 


HAND-BOOK  OF 


large  size,  white  birch,  and  tamarack  ;  but  there  aie  also  fre- 
quent spots  of  barren  or  spongy  marsh,  entirely  void  of  tim- 
ber, or  only  maintaining  a  very  stunted  growth  of  evergreens, 
or  small  tamaracl?  bushes.  The  islands  and  flats  of  the  lower 
part  of  the  Great  Codroy  River  yield  a  luxuriant  growth  of 
wild  grass,  affording  an  ample  supply  of  admirable  fodder 
for  cattle.  Along  the  sea-coast,  between  Trainvain  Brook 
and  the  little  village  of  Codroy,  the  country  is  partLally 
settled  all  the  way,  the  attention  of  the  settlers  being  about 
equally  divided  between  the  cultivation  of  the  land  and  fish- 
ing operations ;  but  up  the  Great  Codroy  River,  which  is 
more  or  less  occupied  on  citbei"  side  of  the  estuary,  the  call- 
ing of  the  inhabitants  appears  to  be  more  purely  agricultural, 
and  it  may  bo  fairly  stated  that,  notwithstanding  the  very 
rude  process  by  which  the  land  is  cultivated,  the  crops  pro- 
duced, of  grass,  grain,  and  roots,  highly  testify  to  the  excel- 
lence of  the  soil  in  which  they  are  grown.  Cattle  and  sheep 
are  raised  upon  most  of  these  small  farms,  producing  most 
excellent  beef  and  mutton,  besides  dairy  produce  of  the  very 
best  description. 

"  The  greater  part  of  the  Anguille,  and  some  portions  of 
the  lower  slopes  of  the  Capo  Ray  range,  also  are  capable  of  im- 
provement, and  if  cleared  of  timber  and  sown  in  grass,  would 
afford  grazing  land  not  easily  surpassed  in  any  country." 


MR.    IIOWLEY  8   SURVEY   OF   CODROY. 

In  the  year  18K  3  Mr.  James  P.  Ilowley,  Assistant  Geological 
Surveyor,  spent  the  summer  months  in  making  a  complete 
topographical  survey  of  these  valleys.  He  triangulated  the 
region,  and  blocked  off  the  lands  into  townships,  so  that 
grants  can  now  be  issued  to  all  apfjlicants.  In  his  report  he 
says :  "  The  number  of  farm  lots  in  actual  possession  on  the 
coast-line  and  shores  of  the  estuary  of  Grand  River,  located 
und  laid  off,  was  93  in  all ;  having  an  average  of  163  a.  1  r. 
38  p.,  or  a  total  of  15,204  a.  3  r.  IS  p.  A  further  amount 
of  2,121  a.  1  r.  has  been  applied  for  or  otherwise  claimed 
on  the  Grand  River.     On  the  Little  River  estuary  and  coast 


NEWFOUNDLAND   RESOURCES. 


2ft 


southward  about  8,9G0  acres  arc  occupied  or  held  in  posses 
sion.     As  yet  only  twelve  applications  for  the  latter  district 
have  been  made.     There  arc  27  vacant  lots  between  the  two 
rivers,  and  on  the  outer  coast,  having  an  acreage  of  3,530  a. 
0  r.  28  p.,  or  an  average  of  130  a.  2  r.  39  p. 

"  The  upper  and  unoccupied  portion  of  the  Codroy  valley 
was  estimated  to  contain  a  total  area  of  about  42 1  square 
miles,  or  27,040  acres.  About  one-third  of  this  area  is  occu- 
pied by  extensive  barrens  and  marshes,  while  probably  one- 
quarter  of  the  remainder  is  cover'^d  by  inferior  soil,  and  a 
small  stunted  growth  of  timl)er.  This  would  reduce  the 
available  agricultural  land  in  the  upper  valley  to  about 
13,421  acres. 

"From  the  foregoinj?  fiojures  it  will  be  seen  that  the  total 

o        o       o 

area  of  the  valley  of  the  Codroys  is  as  follows  :  — 

A. 

Area  occupied  on  the  estuary  of  the  Grand 

River  and  coast  outside  .... 
Area  claimed  on  the  estuary  of  the  Grand 

River  and  coast  outside  .... 
Area  occui)ied  on  estuary  of  Little   River 

and  coast  southward       .... 
Vacant  lots  between  rivers 
Vacant  lots  on  Upper  valley 


R. 


15,204 

3 

18 

2,121 

1 

0 

8,9r,G 

0 

0 

3,530 

0 

28 

27,040 

0 

0 

Total 


56,8G2     1       6 


"  The  general  character  of  the  country  has  been  so  fully 
and  faithfully  described  in  Mr.  Murray's  report  for  1866 
that  nothing  can  be  added  thereto.  Though  his  survey  of 
that  year  was  undertaken  for  purely  geological  purposes, 
and  did  not  present  the  same  opportunities  for  acquiring  a 
thorough  knowledge  of  the  whole  region  as  ours  of  the  past 
seas(    .  nevertheless  his  estimates  are  very  nearly  correct." 

MR.    HOWLEY's   plan   OF   SETTLEMENT. 

Mr.  Howloy  suggests  that  a  further  subdivision  of  the 
still  available  land  in  the  valley  be  made,  and  that  each  lot 


f  i 


se 


HAND-BOOK  OF 


should  be  numbered,  and  either  sold  to  intending  settlers 
at  an  upset  price  per  acre,  or  be  regulated  according  to  the 
position  and  character  of  the  lot ;  or  that  otherwise  grants  in 
fee  for  fifty  acres,  with  a  right  of  preemption  over  the  re- 
maining fifty,  be  given  every  actual  settler  upon  the  per- 
formance of  certain  conditions  within  a  stated  period.  The 
terms,  he  thinks,  should  be  made  easy,  and  payment  taken 
in  kind,  so  as  to  facilitate  the  settlement  of  the  land  by  poor 
but  industrious  persons. 


Th( 


CONDITION  OF   CODROY   SETTLERS. 

Regarding  the  condition  of  the  present  settlers,  Mr. 
Howlcy  says  that  "  of  late  years  much  has  been  done  towards 
improving  their  condition.  The  best  possible  return  has 
been  given  for  the  small  annual  outlay  on  roads ;  but  the 
non-completion  of  the  main  line  to  Port-au-Basque  is  still 
a  great  detriment  to  the  advancement  of  the  settlement. 
It  is  very  much  to  be  regretted  that  some  means  cannot  be 
devised  whereby  this  line  could  be  completed  with  as  little 
delay  as  possible,  and  its  extension  to  St.  George's  Bay 
vigorously  pushed  forward.  The  completion  of  such  a  line 
of  road  would  open  up  an  immense  tract  of  the  best  land  in 
the  island  for  settlement,  and  I  feel  confident  that  the  effect 
which  would  be  produced  in  the  course  of  a  short  time  upon 
our  markets  here,  and  along  the  whole  southern  coast  of  the 
island,  would  be  of  a  highly  beneficial  character." 


MONSIGNOR   SEARS  ON  CODROY. 

It  may  be  interesting  to  quote  the  opinions  of  others,  in 
addition  to  those  already  cited,  in  regard  to  this  valley. 
The  late  Very  Rev.  Monsignor  Sears,  an  ecclesiastic  of  high 
character,  who  spent  many  years  in  Codroy,  and  was  the 
pioneer  of  civilization  both  there  and  in  St.  George's  Bay, 
says :  "  As  you  ask  in  particular  for  the  Codroy  River, 
suffice  it  here  to  say  that  the  range  of  good  land  along  its 
banks  is  sufficiently  broad  for  all  purposes  of  forming  good 
farms.     The  '  interval '  is  from  a  mile  to  two  miles  in  width. 


NEWFOUNDLAND  RESOURCES. 


27 


The  valley  of  the  Codroy  is  in  most  places  computed  at  from 
ten  to  twelve  miles  wide,  mostly  composed  of  excellent  land. 
The  length  of  the  valley  is  about  forty  miles.  There  are, 
of  course,  some  marshes  and  some  plots  of  stony  ground, 
but  nothing  to  impede  farming  operations  on  an  extensive 
scale.  In  the  'interval,'  and  even  the  major  part  of  the 
good  upland,  there  are  scarcely  any  stones.  The  wood  is 
abundant  and  of  excellent  quality.  The  birch,  which  is 
plentiful,  is  an  excellent  article  of  fuel,  besides  its  well- 
known  use  for  ship-building." 


high 


A  FARMER'S   OPINION  OP  CODROY. 

An  intelligent  Prince  Edward  Island  farmer,  who  a  few 
yecrs  ago  spent  a  winter  in  this  valley,  on  his  return  home 
gave  an  account  of  his  experience  in  a  local  newspaper,  from 
which  the  following  is  an  extract :  "  You  may  judge  of  the 
richness  of  these  Codroy  lands  by  the  fact  that  at  the  home- 
stead where  I  passed  the  winter,  a  farm  of  not  more  than 
fifteen  acres  of  roughly  cultivated  land,  supported  a  stock  of 
twenty  head  of  cattle  and  thirty-five  sheep  wholly  upon  hay. 
Along  the  '  intervals  '  I  passed  over  rich  fields  where  clover 
had  been  grown  luxuriantly  for  more  than  thirty  years,  with- 
out manure,  and  with  no  sign  of  decay  or  loss  to  the  soil. 
Even  the  neighboring  uplands  seem  equally  inexhaustible  in 
fertility,  giving  no  sign  of  wearing  out,  though  they  have 
been  cropped  year  after  year,  without  manure,  since  they 
were  settled.  Indeed,  the  manure-heaps  are  considered  an 
encumbrance  by  the  farmers  there.  Observing  large  and 
unsightly  heaps  of  stable  manure,  which  had  been  accumu- 
lating for  thirty  years,  as  I  was  told,  I  asked  one  of  the  farm- 
ers why  he  did  not  turn  the  manure  to  account.  He  replied 
that  their  hay-fields  had  no  need  of  manure,  and  as  for  their 
potato  lands,  any  manure  on  them  would  choke  the  potatoes 
with  clover.  Indeed,  these  uplands  are  so  rich  that  there 
seems  no  doubt  that  they  are  of  volcanic  origin." 


28 


HAND-BOOK  OF 


A    TRAVELLER   ON   CODROY. 

A  traveller  from  Capo  Breton,  who  visited  the  region  a 
short  time  ago,  says:  "The  land  is  scarcely  surpassed  hy 
any  in  the  Lower  Provinces  for  its  fertility.  We  travelled 
about  twenty-four  miles  above  this  beautiful  and  romantic 
river.  There  is  a  range  of  good  upland  extending  some 
nine  miles  above  the  settlement.  This  is  studded  with  birch, 
spruce,  and  fir.  Then  commences  what  is  called  'the  Big 
Interval.'  This  great  tract  of  rich  land  I  travelled  for 
about  fifteen  miles  cither  side  of  the  river,  some  places 
extending  over  a  mile  in  width.  The  extent  and  appearance 
of  this  splendid  '  interval '  struck  me  so  forcibly  that  I 
stopped  to  examine  carefully  the  nature  of  the  soil.  I  could 
see  along  the  banks  that  the  soil  was  exceedingly  good,  and 
four  feet  in  depth,  while  the  grass,  balsam,  and  balm  of 
Gilead  trees,  and  tall  alders,  gave  proof  of  its  surpassing 
fertility." 

COAL   m   CODROY. 

Mr.  Murray's  reports  show  that  Codroy  possesses  other 
resources  besides  its  rich  soil.  "The  coal  rocks,"  he  says, 
"  were  perceived  to  be  distributed  along  the  base  of  the  Cape 
Ray  mountains  wherever  visited  from  Trainvain  Brook  to 
the  upper  forks  of  the  Great  Codroy.  .  .  .  Gypsum  abounds 
in  the  lower  part  of  the  carboniferous  system,  and  is  largely 
developed  on  the  coast  near  Codroy  and  in  Bay  St.  George. 
The  vast  masses  which  come  out  in  the  clifls  between 
Codroy  Island  and  the  Great  Codroy  River  can  hardly  fail  to 
prove,  some  day,  of  great  value  and  importance.  .  .  . 
Admirable  building  stone  is  found  on  Codroy  Island  and  on 
the  Great  Codroy  River."  Limestone  beds  he  also  describes 
as  "  occurring  on  the  coast  near  Codroy,  and  thence  cropping 
out  at  intervals  near  the  right  bank  of  the  Great  Codroy 
River." 


NEWFOUNDLAND  RESOURCES. 


29 


region  a 
S8ed  hy 
ravelled 
omantio 
ig  some 
h  birch, 
the  Big 
lied   for 

places 
)carance 

that  I 

I  could 

od,  and 

jalm  of 

•passing 


!S  other 
le  says, 
le  Cape 
rook  to 
ibounds 
largely 

jrcorge. 
•etween 
'  fail  to 

'•      •      •      • 

and  on 
scribes 
opping 
I!odroy 


« 


ST.   GEORGE'S  BAT. 
PROSPECTS   OF  ST.    OEOROE'S  BAY. 

There  can  be  no  doubt  that  St.  George's  Bay  is  destined 
to  become  one  day  the  seat  of  a  large  agricultural,  mining, 
and  lumbering  population.  When  we  take  into  account  the 
extensive  tracts  of  fertile  lands  around  its  shores,  the  ex- 
cellence of  the  timber,  the  coal-beds  and  mineral  treasures, 
indications  of  which  are  abundant,  and  add  to  this  the 
superior  climate  it  enjoys,  it  seems  every  way  likely  that  it 
will  yet  become  the  garden  of  Newfoundland.  Towns  and 
villages  will  yet  dot  its  shores,  and  a  prosjjcrous  population 
will  occupy  its  valleys  and  hills. 

ST.  George's  bay.  ♦ 

St.  George's  is  a  noble  bay,  —  more  properly  it  might  be 
called  a  gulf, —  being  40  miles  wide  atwts  entrance,  and 
50  miles  in  length.  It  is  long  and  tapering,  and  receives 
at  its  head  and  along  its  southern  shore  numerous  streams 
and  rivers.  A  long  low  tongue  of  land  runs  out  at  the 
south  side  of  the  bay,  forming  an  excellent  harbor. 

THE  surveyor-general  ON  BAY  ST.  GEORGE. 

More  than  thirty  years  ago  the  Surveyor-General  of  the 
day,  paid  a  professional  visit  to  this  region,  for  the  purpose 
of  reporting  on  its  capabilities.  In  his  report  he  said  that 
it  was  capable  of  supporting  more  than  100,000  inhabitants 
in  comfort.  "The  soil,"  he  said,  "is  deep  and  rich,  and 
when  the  trees  and  stumps  are  removed  from  it,  no  further 
obstacles  exist  to  prevent  the  land  being  at  once  brought 
under  the  plough ;  while  the  husbandman  has  at  hand  lime- 
stone and  gypsum  sufficient  for  the  most  extensive  farming 
operations,  and  in  addition  to  which,  kelp,  a  most  valuable 
manure,  may  be  collected  to  almost  any  extent,  the  clear- 
ing of  the  land  would  not  cost  more  than  40  to  50  shillings 
an  acre." 


30  HAND-BOOK  OF 

MR.    MURRAY   ON   ST.    GEORGE's   BAT. 

In  his  report  for  1873  Mr.  Murray  says:  "The  Long 
range  mountains,  which  terminate  in  their  southern  course 
at  Cape  Ray,  run  in  a  north-easterly  direction,  and  in  a 
moderately  straight  line,  towards  the  head  of  the  Grand 
Lake,  and  oh  to  the  IIuralDer  River  below  Dear  Lake  ;  their 
north-western  flank  forming  the  boundary  of  the  area  to 
which  the  attention  of  the  survey  has  been  chiefly  directed 
during  the  late  season.  The  whole  region,  roughly  es- 
timated, contains  an  area  of  about  1,824  square  statute 
miles,  and  may  be  thus  subdivided :  — 

Bq.  Miloi. 

1.  Area:  South-east  side  of  St.  George's   Bay,  in- 

clusive of  the  Codroy  valleys  .         .         .       816 

2.  Area :  Country  between  the  west  coast  and  the 

Long  Range  mountains,  south   of  the   Bay  of 
Islands  to  tfce  north  shore  of  St.  George's  Bay^       720 

3.  The  Port-a-Port  peninsula 288 


1,824 

TOPOGRAPHY   OF   THE   REGION. 

"  The  main  coast-line  of  St.  George's  Bay,  between  the 
Little  Barachois  in  Flat  Bay  and  Fishel's  Brook,  is  for  the 
greater  part  composed  of  abrupt  banks  of  modern  drift, 
rising  to  an  elevation  which  varies  at  certain  points  from 
100  feet  to  upwards  of  180  feet  in  height.  Farther  south 
the  drift-banks  are  interrupted  by  sections  of  the  carbonif- 
erous rocks  jutting  out  through  them,  still  maintaining 
great  uniformity  of  elevation ;  but  south-westward  of 
Crabb's  Brook  the  rocks  almost  exclusively  occupy  the 
coast  to  Cape  Anguille.  Between  this  south-western  part 
of  the  coast  and  the  Great  Codroy  River  the  character  of 
the  country  differs  essentially  from  that  farther  to  the  north- 
east, in  being  mountainous,  forming  a  range  which  derives 
its  name  from  Cape  Anguille  at  its  western  extremity.  |  fo 
This  range  is   shaped    somewhat   rudely  to    resemble   an 


NEWFOUNDLAND  RESOURCES. 


81 


10  Long 
courso 
ind  in  a 
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0 ;  their 
area  to 
directed 
jhly  03- 
statute 

Sq.  Milei. 

816 

e 
>f 

720 

288 


1,824 

I'oen  the 
3  for  the 
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its  from 
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arbonif- 
otainingf 
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able   an 


isosceles  triangle,  the  base  of  which  is  the  coast  between 
Cape  Anguillo  and  Codroy,  while  the  apex  reaches  to  a 
point  midway  between  the  coast  and  the  Long  range 
mountains,  and  within  about  three  miles  of  the  course  of 
Crabb's  Brook,  where  it  is  locally  known  as  'The  High- 
lands '  of  8t.  George's  Bay.  The  highest  summits  of  the 
Capo  Anguille  range  reach  an  elevation  of  1,200  feet  or 
more,  and  are  in  many  parts  abrupt,  and  even  precipitous ; 
but  they  materially  differ  in  their  contour  and  general  aspect 
from  the  rugged  masses  of  the  Long  Ilange,  by  being 
smoothly  rounded  in  form,  and  carrying  more  or  less  vegeta- 
tion to  the  highest  parts.  Innumerable  small  streams,  which 
take  their  rise  from  lakes  and  lakelets  among  these  moun- 
tains, pour  their  waters  in  picturesque  cascades  over  the  lofty 
cliffs  which  bound  St.  George's  Bay ;  while  many  more  flow- 
ing in  the  opposite  direction  join  the  waters  of  the  Great 
Codroy  Kiver,  or  fall  into  the  sea  between  its  outlet  and 
Codroy   Island." 

rORESTS   OF  ST.    GEORGE'S  BAT. 

"  North-eastward  from  the  terminating  point  of  the  Cape 
Anguille  mountains  the  whole  country  between  the  coast 
and  the  Long  Range  is  of  a  flat  or  undulatory  character, 
densely  covered  with  forest  trees,  except  in  such  parts  as 
have  been  swept  by  fire,  or  occasional  tracts  of  marsh.  The 
trees  of  this  forest  consist  of  white  and  yellow  birch,  spruce, 
and  balsam  fir,  poplar,  and  tamarack,  or  larch.  There  is, 
however,  little  or  no  pine.  The  only  parts  where  that  timber 
was  observed  to  grow  were  on  a  few  spots  near  the  banks  of 
the  Flat  Bay  Brook,  and  an  occasional  spot  in  like  manner 
in  the  valley  of  Fishel's  Brook.  Much  of  the  timber  of  this 
great  plateau  is  very  large.  Trees  of  yellow  and  white 
birch  are  frequently  met  with,  and  particularly  on  the  river 
flats,  having  a  diameter  of  three  feet,  and  even  more,  many 
of  which  are  tall  and  straight,  resembling  the  hard-wood 
forest  trees  of  Canada;  spruces,  balsams,  poplars,  and  tama- 
racks also  reach  a  maximum  size,  and  seem  to  be  of  excel- 


12 


HAND-BOOK  OF 


lent  quality.  The  ground  is  often  densely  covered  by  a 
creeping  bush,  a  species  of  yew,  generally  known  as  ground- 
hemlock  in  Canada,  where  it  abounds  ;  all  amply  testifying 
to  the  excellence  of  the  soil  upon  which  they  grow." 


RIVERS    OF   THE   DISTRICT. 

The  rivers  which  drain  this  district  are  the  Little  Bara- 
chois  and  Flat  Bay  brooks,  the  Fishel,  Robinson's,  Middle 
Barachois,  and  Crabb's  brooks.  "All  these  streams,"  says 
Mr.  Murray,  "take  their  rise  among  the  barren  wastes  of 
the  Long  range  mountains,  but  the  lower  reaches  of  each, 
for  distances  varying  from  12  to  20  miles,  flow  through  richly 
wooded  and  fertile  vaiieys  intersecting  the  plateau  just  de- 
scribed. These  valleys,  and  much  of  the  higher  lands,  now 
primeval  wilderness,  appear  to  be,  in  nearly  every  respect, 
well  adapted  for  ar^ricultural  settlement.  By  deducting  the 
tract  occupied  by  the  Cape  Anguille  range  of  hills,  amount- 
ing to  25()  square  miles,  which  is  too  high  and  too  steep  for 
ordinary  tillage,  although  well  suited  as  runs  for  sheep  or 
cattle,  the  remainder  of  the  block,  viz.,  560  square  miles,  is 
certainly  to  a  large  extent  reclaimable,  and  there  can  be  but 
little  doubt  that  the  construction  of  roads,  which  must  ueces- 
sarily  be  the  consequence  of  occupation,  together  with  the 
clearing  of  the  forest,  will  lead  to  mineral  discovery  of  vast 
importance  to  the  colony. 

"  Water-power,  for  the  purpose  of  driving  machinery, 
could  be  obtained  at  almost  any  point  desired ;  the  low- 
lying  flats  ofl'ering  every  facility  for  building  or  mill  sites." 

SECOND   AREA   OF   THE   BAY. 

Of  thfi  second  geographical  area  named  above,  Mr.  Mur- 
ray says  that  a  large  portion  of  it  is  mountainous,  but  he 
adds :  "  Tracts  of  considerable  extent  upon  the  coast,  and 
nearly  all  the  valleys  of  the  principal  streams,  bear  a  soil  of 
the  most  fertile  description,  which  is  even  already  shown  by 
the  few  and  rudely  cultivated  spots  here  and  there,  where  the 
productions  in  grass,  green  crops,  and  even  cereals,  are  all 


T 


NEWFOUNDLAND   RESOURCES. 


33 


first  class,  both  in  quantity  and  quality.  And  this  in  a  country 
where  there  is  no  evidence  of  the  existence  of  a  plough  or 
harrow,  or  a  wheeled  vehicle  of  any  kind  whatever." 


COUNTRY  NORTH  OF  THE  GRAVELS. 

At  no  great  distance  from  the  coast  north  of  the  Gravels 
is  a  ranffo  of  Silurian  mountains  averasrin^'OOO  to  1,000 
feet  in  height.  From  these  numerous  streams  How.  "Our 
time,"  says  Mr.  Murray,  "  would  not  permit  us  to  make 
surveys  of  any  of  these  rivers  ;  but,  from  the  evidences 
visible  at  their  outlets,  and  such  information  as  could  be 
derived  from  the  inhabitants,  there  can  be  little  doubt  that 
large  tracts  of  extremely  fine  land  extend  up  their  valleys 
for  many  miles.  The  richness  of  the  soil  at  this  [)art  of  the 
coast  is  probably  due  to  the  calcareous  material  derived  from 
the  adjacent  mountains,  together  with  the  disintegration  of 
the  trnppean  rocks  of  which  the  subsoil  is  composed.  We 
were  surprised  to  perceive  that  the  little  Fox  Island  lying 
out  in  the  bay,  which,  as  seen  at  a  distance,  w'as  conceived 
to  be  a  mere  barren  rock,  was  covered  over  three-fourths  of 
its  area  with  a  soil  of  the  richest  description,  and  that  the 
gardens  of  the  two  families  of  poor  fishermen  who  inhabited 
it  were  producing  crops  of  potatoes,  peas,  and  hay,  which, 
for  luxuriance  and  vigorous  growth,  could  hardly  be  sur- 
passed, although  the  mode  of  culture  was  of  the  very 
rudest." 

RIVIERE    BLANCHE. 

Of  Riviere  Blanche,  a  river  falling  into  St.  George's  Bay, 
near  Indian  Head,  Mr.  Murray's  report  says  :  "  This  river 
was  measured  about  six  miles  up  its  course.  A  block  of  rich 
flat  land,  supported  on  members  of  the  carboniferous  series, 
is  shut  in,  as  it  were,  by  the  Silurian  mountains  on  the  north 
and  west,  and  by  the  Indian  Head  range  on  the  east,  which 
is  chiefly  drained  by  the  Riviere  Blanche  and  Romaine's  or 
Kippen's  Brook.  The  area  of  the  block  is  between  30  and 
40  square  miles,  or  about  22,400  acres.     The  whole  of  this 


34 


HAND-BOOK  OP 


area  (excepting  the  small  clearings  at  the  mouths  of  the 
streams)  is  densely  covered  with  forests  of  large  and  vigor- 
ous growth,  with  abundance  of  yellow  birch,  spruce,  fir, 
and  other  trees,  but  scarcely  any  pine." 

Harry's  brook  valley. 

"The  valley  of  Harry's  Brook,  above  the  western  fork,  is 
rugged  and  barren  for  the  greater  part,  and  much  of  it  hilly 
or  mountainous.  Below  the  junction  of  Spruce  Brook 
patches  of  good  land  begin  to  appear,  chiefly  on  the  right 
bank ;  and  back  from  the  lower  reaches  on  the  same  side 
there  is  a  broad  tract  of  very  good  country.  The  islands 
and  low  banks  near  the  outlet  are  of  the  best  soil  for  grass 
meadows.  To  the  south-east  of  Spruce  Brook  nearly  the 
whole  country  is  spread  over  by  vast  marshes  which  extend 
up  to  the  flanks  of  the  hills  on  the  south-west  side  of  the 
Grand  Lake." 

port-a-port  peninsula. 

Of  the  Port-a-Port  peninsula  the  report  says  much  of  it 
is  high  and  hilly,  but  "  there  are  numerous  patches  of  very 
fine  land,  and  particularly  around  the  shores  of  Western 
Bay.  .  .  As  the  mineral  indications  observea  seemed  to  favor 
the  probability  of  the  peninsula  becoming  a  mining  district  in 
course  of  time,  these  patches  of  available  agricultural  land 
can  scarcely  fail  to  become  of  great  value." 


ROOM     FOR    TWENTY     THOUSAND    SIX     HUNDRED     AND    FORTY 

SETTLERS. 

"  The  vast  importance  of  these  regions  as  an  agricultural 
country,  setting  its  probable  mineral  value  aside  altogether, 
may  in  some  degree  be  understood  by  supposing  the  whole 
available  area  to  be  blocked  ofi"  in  lots  of  100  acres  each, 
and  each  lot  to  be  occupied  by  one  person ;  there  would  then 
be  3,584  settlers  on  the  south-east  side  of  St.  George's  Bay ; 
224  on  the  Riviere  Blanche  and  Romaine's  Brook  block  ;  and 
320  pt  least  upon  all  the  remainder.     If  we  further  suppose 


NEWFOUNDLAND  RESOURCES. 


35 


that  each  settler  has  a  family  of  five  members,  there  would 
then  be  a  population  of  20,640  souls."  To  this  we  may  add 
the  numbers  which  would  find  employment  in  fishing,  lum- 
bering, mining,  and  various  trades,  as  well  as  in  farming, 
and  we  can  form  some  idea  of  the  population  the  shores  of 
this  bay  is  capable  of  sustaining.  At  present  there  are  but 
a  few  farms  along  the  coast  on  either  side  of  the  bay. 

MR.    HOWLEY'S   township  SURVEY  OF   SOUTH   SIDE   OP 
BAY    ST.    GEORGE. 

In  1884  Mr.  James  P.  Howley  spent  the  summer  months 
in  laying  off  the  large  tract  of  land  on  the  south  side  of  St. 
George's  Bay  into  townships  of  36  square  miles  each.  He 
was  accompanied  by  a  duly  equipped  surveying  party. 
He  included  the  whole  of  the  available  land  here  in  nine 
townships. 

REPORT   OF  SURVEYOR. 

His  report  states  the  total  area  for  the  whol#  tract  to  be 
330  square  miles,  or  211,200  square 'acres.  Mr.  Howley 
says  :  "  Probably  one-third  of  this  great  area  would  have  to 
be  deducted  as  unfit  for  settlement,  owing  to  the  prevalence 
of  barren  and  marshy  land,  which  would  still  leave  220 
square  miles,  or  140,800  square  acres  available.  The 
character  of  the  soil  spread  over  so  extensive  a  surface  is, 
of  course,  very  diversified ;  fully  one-half  in  four  of  the 
townships  is  occupied  by  extensive  barrens  and  peat  bogs  of 
little  value,  except  as  runs  for  sheep  and  cattle.  In  the 
remaining  townships  the  good  land  preponderates,  and  the 
soil  in  many  places  is  of  superior  richness,  especially  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  large  rivers,  where  much  interval  land  occurs. 
The  prevailing  character  is  a  deep  red  or  yellowish  sandy 
loam  ;  but  the  alluvial  interval  deposits  partake  more  of  the 
character  of  a  rich  dark,  sometimes  nearly  black,  mould. 
The  fertility  of  these  latter  soils  is  well  attested  in  the  quality 
of  the  timber  they  support.  Yellow  birch  (witch-hazel) ,  white 
birch,  balsam  poplar,  maple,  large  spruce,  and  fir  are  the 


38 


HAND-BOOK  OF 


>  I 


prevailing  varieties.  But  considerable  tracts  are  frequently 
covered  with  a  dense  growth  of  large  aiders,  intermixed 
with  elder  and  white-wood,  which  are  certain  indications  of 
a  rich,  moist,  alluvial  soil."  The  soil  which  covers  the  lower 
carboniferous  formation  is  invariably  good ;  and  when  the 
characteristic  red  of  the  sandstones  and  conglomerates  of 
this  formation  is  seen,  soil  well  adapted  to  agricultural  pur- 
poses may  be  looked  for.  This  is  the  case  in  New  Brunswick, 
Nova  Scotia,  and  Cape  Breton.  Mr.  Howley  remarks : 
"The  cause  of  the  fertility  of  such  soils  is  readily  accounted 
for  in  this  way  :  nine-tenths  of  the  superficial  deposits  spread 
over  any  tract  of  country  are  composed  of  the  debris  of  the 
rock  formations  immediately  underlying  them.  When,  as  in 
the  case  of  the  lower  carboniferous,  the  bulk  of  the  forma- 
tion is  composed  of  soft  sandstones,  shales,  clays,  marls, 
limestones,  and  gypsum,  an  intermixture  of  these  various 
ingredients  must  naturally  result  in  soil  of  a  superior  char- 
acter. On  the  contrary,  where  the  underlying  rocks  are 
chiefly  crysttiline,  silicious,  or  feldspathic,  containing  little 
or  no  lime,  the  resulting  soils  are  usually  poor  and  hungry, 
requiring  a  constant  supply  of  fertilizing  agents  to  render 
them  at  all  productive.  The  question,  then,  of  the  superiority, 
or  otherwise,  of  the  soil  over  any  tract  of  country,  can  at 
all  times  be  determined  upon  geological  grounds,  when  the 
rock-structure  of  the  country  is  known." 


M 


COAL  AREAS   OP   ST.    GEORGE's   GYPSTBI  DEPOSITS. 

In  addition  to  this  extent  of  good  soil  and  valuable  timber, 
St.  George's  Bay  contains  a  coal-field  which  Mr.  Jukes,  the 
eminent  geologist  who  visited  it  in  1840,  estimated  to  be  25 
miles  wide  and  10  miles  in  length.  Seams  of  this  coal  have 
been  found  cropping  out  in  two  places, — on  Eobinson's  Brook, 
and  on  the  Little  Barachois  River.  Further  account  of  it  is 
reserved  for  the  chapter  on  the  mineral  wealth  of  the  island. 
Of  other  economic  resources,  Mr.  Howley  says  in  the  report 
already  quoted : "  The  immense  gypsum  deposits,  so  frequently 
met  with  throughout  this  region,  cannot  fail  to  become  of 


NEWFOUNDLAND  RESOURCES. 


87 


i 


considerable  economic  importance  in  the  future,  especially 
as  nmch  of  it  partakes  of  the  character  known  as  alabaster. 
Its  value  as  a  fertilizer,  should  the  counUy  become  aettled 
with  an  agricultural  population,  can  hardly  be  over-estimated. 
Many  substances  of  minor  importance,  such  as  building- 
stones,  limestones,  brick-clays,  grindstones,  whetstones,  etc., 
occur  in  abundance.  Tho  Laurentian  hills,  in  the  rear,  give 
promise  of  considerable  deposits  of  iron  ores,  boulders,  and 
fragments  of  which  are  found  plentifully  distributed  along 
the  beds  of  the  principal  streams.  These  and  other  less  known 
resources,  combined  with  the  greatly  superior  quality  of  tho 
soil,  must  in  tjme  render  the  district  of  St.  George's  Bay 
one  of  the  most  flourishing  and  prosperous  in  the  island  of 
Newfoundland." 


MONSIGNOR  SEARS  ON  ST.  GEORGE  S. 

The  late  Very  Rev.  Monsignor  Sears,  who  labored  inces- 
santly for  the  improvement  of  this  region  and  its  inhabitants, 
says  of  tho  St.  George's  Bay  :  "As  the  soil  here  is  surpass- 
ingly productive,  especially  in  the  growth  of  various  grasses, 
I  believe  there  is  no  country  in  our  latitude  to  surpass  it  for 
grazing  sheep  or  cattle.  .  .  Wherever  tho  trees  arc  ;i'cmoved 
by  fire,  wind,  or  other  causes,  a  spontaneous  growth  of  grass 
springs  up."  He  tells  of  meadows  which  he  has  known  giv- 
ing hay  for  the  last  nineteen  years,  "and  the  nineteenth  crop 
is  better  than  the  first.  .  .  The  wood  is  abundant  and  of  ex- 
cellent quality,  especially  the  birch,  for  fuel  and  ship-build- 
ing. There  is  another  tree  here  called  the  balm-tree.  It 
grows  so  luxuriantly  on  tho  '  Long  Interval '  tracts  of  the 
river  margins  that,  viewed  from  a  distance,  this  fine-look- 
ing tree  reminds  one  of  the  oak  forests  of  the  Old  World,  or 
the  maple  groves  of  the  neighboring  colonies.  Tho  timber 
is  very  light,  something  like  that  of  tho  aspen,  and  is  as  soft 
to  cut  as  the  cedar.  For  inside  work  it  combines  the  fA^^s 
or  polish  of  hard-wood,  with  the  facility  of  being  worked  or 
dressed  peculiar  to  pine.  It  covers  hundreds  of  acres,  and 
grows  to  a  size  of  three  or  four  feet  in  diameter." 


38  HAND-BOOK  OP 


1 1 


S 


DR.    BELL   ON   ST.    GEORGE's. 


Ono  more  testimony  regarding  this  region  may  be  referred 
to,  that  of  John  Bell,  M.A.,  M.D.,  who  visited  the  west 
coast,  and  described  it  in  the  "  Canadian  Naturalist "  for 
1870.  He  says  :  "Along  the  river  flats,  in  the  valleys,  and 
on  the  *  barrens,'  when  these  are  drained,  and  the  country  is 
a  little  more  cleared,  there  will  be  room  for  thouj^ands  of 
farms,  and  the  hills  will  afibrd  walks  for  immense  flocks  of 
sheep,  and  pasture  for  countless  herds  of  cattle,  the  surplus 
of  all  which  will  find  a  ready  market  at  the  ports  and  fishing- 
stations,  at  the  lumbering,  manufacturing,  and  mining  estab- 
lishments, which  ere  long  will  make  this  old  and  neglected 
colony  one  vast  scene  of  active  and  profitable  industry.  The 
climate  of  the  island  is  favorable  to  the  development  of  its 
agricultural  resources  of  every  kind.  Instead  of  the  cold, 
foggy  atmosphere  which  is  generally  supposed  to  hang  over 
the  island,  quite  the  reverse  is  the  case.  The  air  is  clear 
and  warm,  and  the  temperature  during  the  year  remarkably 
equable,  the  mercury  in  winter  seldom  falling  below  zero  of 
Fahrenheit's  scale,  or  in  summer  rising  above  eighty  degrees, 
while  the  mean  temperature  of  the  year  is  about  forty-four 
degrees.  I  never  saw  finer  weather  than  during  the  two 
months  I  was  on  the  island.  It  is  only  on  the  south-west 
corner  that  fogs  prevail  to  any  extent,  from  the  proximity  of 
that  part  to  the  Gulf  Stream." 


* 


FISHERIES    OF   ST.    GEORGE's   BAY.  f 

■I 

In  connection  with  the  settlement  of  this  region  we  must  I 

add  the  valuable  fisheries  of  St.  George's  Bay,  from  which  | 

the  present  scanty,  population  derive  a  good  part  of  their  | 

sustenance.    This  bay  is  one  of  the  great  seats  of  the  herring-  I 

fishery.     Herrings  are  so  abundant  that  every  man  takes  as  | 

many  as  he  thinks  he  can  cure.     Cod,  salmon,  and  smelt  are  | 

also  abundant.     All  these  resourcescombinedpo.it  out  St.  j> 
George's  Bay  as  the  seat  of  a  large  population  in  the  future. 


NEWFOUNDLAND  RESOURCES. 


89 


I 
I 


MR.    HOWLEY   ON   PORT-A-PORT. 

The  following  extract  from  Mr.  Howley's  report  for  1874 
regarding  the  peninsula  of  Port-a-Port  shows  that  its  agri- 
cultural capabilities  are  far  from  despicable  :  "  It  was  esti- 
mated that  there  may  be  in  the  peninsula  alone  nearly  100 
square  miles  of  area  available  for  agricultural  purposes.  In 
the  region  surrounding  West  Bay,  a  tract  extending  over  at 
least  45  square  miles,  is  level,  densely  wooded,  and  is  inter- 
sected by  several  brooks  of  good  size.  At  some  abandoned 
clearings  near  the  sea-shore  the  rank  luxuriance  of  the  grass 
that  grew  there  was  most  remarkable,  while  the  timber  pro- 
duced over  the  other  parts  of  the  area  was  of  good  quality, 
consisting  chiefly  of  white  spruce,  balsam,  fir,  and  yellow 
birch  (commonly  known  as  witch-hazel).  Pine  was  not 
observed,  and,  if  it  exists,  is  scarce. 

"  The  valley  of  Benoit's  Brook  contains  an  area  of  about 
60  square  miles,  at  least  one-half  of  which  might  be  re- 
claimed ;  but  there  is  a  great  deal  of  marshy  ground  over 
the  remainder.  The  country  is  well  timbered  with  the  usual 
variety  of  trees. 

"  The  whole  area  of  the  valley  of  Serpentine  River  is 
about  58  square  miles.  Much  of  these  lower  lands  are  of 
good  soil,  more  especially  on  the  banks  of  the  river  and 
along  the  base  of  the  mountains,  where  the  surface  is  gen- 
erally level  and  dry.  In  addition  to  the  usual  varieties,  pine 
and  tamarack  may  be  enumerated  among  the  indigenous 
timber.  These  latter  trees,  although  less  abundant  than  the 
others,  are  nevertheless  in  considerable  quantity,  r.nd  some 
of  the  former  reach  a  great  size.  I  measured  one  pine  which 
had  a  circumference  of  twelve  feet,  and  there  are  many 
varying  from  two  and  one-half  to  three  feet  in  diameter. 


BAY  OF  ISLANDS. 


CHARACTER  OF  THE  REGION.  —  TOPOGRAPHY. 

About  50  miles  from  the  north  head  of  St.  George's  Bay 
the  Bay  of  Islands  opens,  being  15  miles  wide  at  its  entrance, 


,i;!i 


I    I 


I 


f 


40  HAND-BOOK  OF 

where  it  ia  studded  with  lofty  islands.  This  fine  region, 
only  second  in  importance  to  Bay  St.  George  in  regard  to 
its  agricultural  capabilities,  its  fisheries,  and  its  mineral  and  | 
timber  wealth,  contains  as  yet  but  few  inhabitants,  who  are  | 
scattered  alon^r  the  banks  of  the  Humber  Sound  and  River.  I 
The  bay  is  spacious  and  easy  of  access,  its  depth  being  | 
about  15  miles,  and  the  anchorage  safe  and  ffood  on  the 
southern  side.  There  are  several  arms  extending  from  the 
eastern  side ;  but  the  most  important  is  that  known  as  the 
\\  '  Humber  Sound,  extending  from  the  south-eastern  part  of 

i|  the  bay   about  28  miles  easterly  into  the  country,  with  a 

jl  width  of  more  than  two  miles.     At  its  head  is  the  mouth  of 

li  the  Humber  Eiver,  the  second  largest  river  in  the  island.     A 

i|  !  range  of  hills,  called  the  Blow-me-down  Hills,  from  800  to 

;i  1,000  feet  high,  rises  to  the  south  of  the  Sound.    On  approach-      I 

ing  the  Humber  their  height  and  abruptness  gradually  level 
I    '  down  until,  on  the  banks  of  this  fine  river,  they  do  not  rise 

'  higher  than  300  feet,  while  they  present  to  the  eye  a  rich 

clothinif  of  the  most  varied  foliao^e,  w^hich  goes  down  to  the 
water's  edge.     This,   however,  does  not  hold  good  on  the 
'    !  first  or  lower  course  of  the  river,  which  passes  through  a 

I  narrow  gorge,  nearly  three  miles  in  length,  having  on  each 

'":  i  side  lofty  crag3,  which  in  some  places  shoot  up  perpendicu- 

larly from  the  water's  edge  to  the  height  of  1,000  feet.     In 
li  I  flowing  through  this  gorge  the  river  is  in  some  places  pent 

i!  I  up  to  less  than  a  chain  in  width,  the  current  being  deep  and 

'  strons:.     Three  miles  from  the  mouth  of  the  river  a  slight 

rapid  is  met  which  is  easily  passed    at  high  spring-tides. 
I  Above   this   rapid   the   Humber  opens    out   wide,    flowing 

through  a  beautiful  and  picturesque  valley  from  three  to  seven 
I  miles  in  width,  with  fine  flat  land  on  either  side.     Within  a 

j   i  mile  of  the   lower  end  of  Deer  Lake,  which   is    12  miles 

,j  j  from  the  mouth  of  the  river,  a  second  rapid  is  met,  consider- 

I  ably  stronger  than  the  first,  over  which  a  boat  can  be  readily 

I  taken  by  tracking,  and  which  presents  but  a  slight  impedi- 

j  i  ment  to  the  safe  transit  of  rafts  of  timber  from  the  lake  to 


NEWFOUNDLAND  RESOURCES. 


41 


10  region, 
regard  to 
inenil  and 
,  who  are 
lid  River, 
pth  being 
•d  on  the 

from  the 
wn  as  the 
1  part  of 
^,  with  a 
mouth  of 
land.     A 
m  800  to 
ipproach- 
ally  level 
3  not  rise 
IQ  a  rich 
^n  to  the 
d  on  the 
trough  a 

on  each 
'pendicu- 
Peet.  In 
ices  pent 
deep  and 

a  sliifht 
ng-tides. 

flowinjr 
to  seven 
Vithin  a 
12  miles 
jonsider- 
3  readily 

impedi- 
I  lake  to 


the  Sound.    The  rise  from  the  sea  to  the  level  of  Deer  Lake 
Mr.  Murray  found  to  be  only  10  feet. 

Deer  Lake,  through  which  the  Ilumber  flows,  is  15  miles 
in  length  and  3  in  breadth.  Around  it,  especially  to  the  east- 
ward and  northward,  is  a  fine  ex[)anse  of  flat,  rolling 
country,  reaching  away  in  the  former  direction  towards 
Grand  Lake.  "The  land  surrounding  Deer  Luke,"  says  the 
report  of  the  Surveyor-General  already  quoted,  "  is  of  the 
most  fertile  description,  bearing  on  its  surface  pines  meas- 
uring fi'om  three  to  four  feet  in  diameter,  with  birch  of 
hardly  inferior  dimensions,  and  both  these  kinds  existing  in 
great  quantities,  and  with  such  water-power  within  reach 
as  would  seem  to  invite  the  establishment  of  saw-mills,  and, 
at  the  same  time,  to  insure  success  to  such  an  enterprise." 
These  remarks,  it  must  be  observed,  describe  the  region  as 
it  was  thirty  years  ago.  Much  of  the  timber  referred  to  has 
been  cut  down  long  since. 

COUNTRY  ABOVE  DEER  LAKE. 

In  his  report  for  1866  Mr.  Murray  says  :  "  Above  Deer 
Lake  the  flat  country  is  of  great  breadth,  more  particularly 
above  the  forks  ;  the  mountain  range  which  bounds  it  on  the 
west  side  pointing  in  the  direction  of  Adie's  Pond  at  the 
head  of  the  river  on  one  hand,  while  on  the  other  it  extends 
to  the  base  of  the  low-wooded  range  west  of  Sandy  Pond ; 
and  this  level  tract  extends  upwards  on  the  river's  course  to 
the  western  bend,  which  is  said  to  be  less  than  ten  miles 
distant  from  the  head  of  White  Bay.  By  a  rough  measure- 
ment of  this  large  tract  of  country  made  upon  the  plan,  there 
would  be  an  area  of  about  420  square  miles,  or  274,560 
square  acres,  at  least  one-half  of  which  is  probably  well 
adapted  for  raising  almost  every  kind  of  agricultural 
produce." 

TIMBER   AND   OTIIKR   RESOURCES. 

"Independently  of  its  agricultural  capabilities  this  fine 
tract  of  country  seems  to  present  inducements   for  other 


C" 


p 


'«. 


42 


HAND-BOOK  OF 


branches  of  industry  and  enterprise,  in  the  quality  of  the 
timber,  much  of  which  is  excellent.  Tamarack,  or  juniper, 
ia  not  rare  ;  yellow  birch,  of  largo  dimensions,  is  abundant ; 
white-pine  and  spruce  grow  in  the  greatest  profusion,  fre- 
quently of  a  size  and  quality  not  greatly  inferior,  if  not 
equal,  to  the  best  that  is  now  largely  brought  into  market  in 
Gaspe,  and  other  parts  of  the  lower  province  of  Canada. 
The  natural  facilities  this  part  of  the  island  presents  for 
communication  from  shore  to  shore  are  also  very  great ;  the 
valley  is  easily  accessible  by  water  from  the  Bay  of  Islands 
to  the  Grand  Lake  forks ;  while  the  country  farther  north  is 
well  adapted  for  laying  out  roads,  and  a  road  of  Tess  than 
ten  miles  from  the  northern  bend  would  open  up  the  whole 
from  the  head  of  White  Bay." 


WATER-POWER. 

"  Water-power  to  drive  machinery  is  everywhere  obtain- 
able, either  in  the  main  river,  on  the  upper  part  of  the 
stream,  or  in  the  numerous  brooks  that  fall  into  Deer  Lake 
and  the  lower  reaches." 

COMPARISON    WITH   CANADA. 

"Thousands  of  square  miles  of  country  have  been  laid 
out  in  townships,  and  already  partially  settled,  in  Canada, 
either  for  purposes  of  lumbering  or  farming,  on  the  northern 
shores  of  Lake  Huron  and  many  parts  of  the  lower  province, 
far  inferior,  in  most  respects,  to  this  region  of  Newfound- 
land, which  there  can  scarcely  be  a  doubt  is  capable  of  sup- 
porting a  very  large  population." 


RESOURCES    OF   THE   HUMBER   DISTRICT. 

The  River  Huraber  is  about  114  miles  in  length  ;  and  there 
cannot  be  a  doubt  that  the  fertile  tract  of  country  through 
which  it  flows  will  one  day  be  converted  into  a  tine  agricult- 
ural and  grazing  region.  The  difficulties  presented  to  the 
navigation  of  the  Humber,  by  the  rapids  already  referred 
to,  could  be  easily  overcome  were  the  country  once  settled ; 


NEWFOUNDLAND  RESOURCES. 


43 


1^  of  the 

juniper, 

)undant ; 

iion,  fre- 

if  not 

larkct  in 

Canada. 

ents  for 

■cat ;  tlio 

i"  Islands 

north  is 

CSS  than 

le  whole 


)  obtain- 
:  of  the 
eer  Lake 


)cen  laid 
Canada, 
northern 
province, 
3wfound- 
3  of  sup- 


ind  there 

through 

agricult- 

d  to  the 

referred 

settled ; 


i 


and  if  this  were  done  vessels  and  steamers  of  considerable 
size  could  reach  Deer  Lake.  All  visitors  to  the  Iluniber 
district  speak  highly  of  its  resources.  The  soil  is  deep  and 
fertile,  and  capable  of  yielding  excellent  crops  of  all  kinds. 
Limestone  is  easily  procured,  and  to  any  extent,  for  agricult- 
ural purposes.  It  contains  some  of  the  finest  timber  in  the 
island,  which  will  bo  more  minutely  referred  to  when  the 
forests  come  to  bo  noticed.  Marbles  of  all  kinds  occur  on 
the  shores  of  the  Bay  of  Islands ;  and  evidences  of  the 
existence  of  coal  seams  have  been  discovered  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  Grand  Lake.  Even  these  do  not  constitute  the 
whole  resources  of  the  district.  The  Bay  of  Islands  is  the 
seat  of  one  of  the  finest  herring-fisheries  to  be  met  with,  the 
quality  of  the  herrings  being  equal  to  that  of  those  taken  on 
Labrador.  This  fishery  is  prosecuted  during  the  winter 
months,  when  the  herrings  are  taken  in  immense  quantities 
by  cutting  holes  in  the  ice.  Cod  and  salmon  are  also 
abundant. 

BONNE   BAT. 

North  of  the  Bay  of  Islands  another  fine  bay  opens, 
named  Bonne  Bay,  the  scenery  of  which  is  very  fine.  It  has 
not  yet  been  surveyed,  and  is  but  partially  known.  Casual 
visitors  report  a  large  extent  of  good  land,  especially  suit- 
able for  grazing  purposes,  but  also  yielding  good  crops 
on  cultivation.  Here  also  there  is  a  fine  herring-fishery, 
and  on  that,  with  cod  and  salmon,  the  inhabitants  chiefly 
subsist. 

In  regard  to  the  more  northern  bays  little  is  known  ;  but 
casual  visitors  concur  in  declaring  that  at  the  heads  of  all 
these  western  and  northern  bays  there  are  large  stretches  of 
good  land,  well  adapted  for  settlement,  and  possessing 
natural  advantages  of  great  value. 

CLIMATE    OF   THE   WEST    COAST. ADVANTAGES    PRESENTED. 

The  climate  of  Western  Newfoundland  is  greatly  superior 
to  that  of  the  eastern  shores,  being  free  from  fog  and  from 


44 


HAND-BOOK  OP 


the  influcnco  of  easterly  winds.  In  the  rej2;ions  ah-cady 
described — Codroy,  Bay  St.  George,  Port-a-Port,  Bay  of 
Islands,  and  the  Ilumbcr  district  —  there  is  an  immense 
extent  of  good  land  awaiting  the  axe,  the  plough,  and  the 
spade.  The  climate  is  highly  favorable  to  health  and  indus- 
trial occu[)ati()ns  of  all  kinds.  The  character  of  the  district 
is  such  that  a  variety  of  occupations  can  bo  followed  by 
settlers,  —  farming,  lumbering,  mining,  shi[)-building,  fish- 
ing, etc.  The  difficulties  to  bo  encountered  here  arc  L " 
fewer  than  those  encountered  by  the  hosts  of  emigrants  who 
pass  by  these  shores  and. travel  thousands  of  miles  to  the 
prairies  and  forests  of  the  far  West. 


com 
of 
dan 
uuu 


THE    COUNTRY   BETWEEN    THE    NUMBER  AND    NOTRE 
DAME   BAY  ON   THE   EASTERN   COAST. 

GREAT  PLAIN  ACROSS  THE   ISLAND. 

From  the  Bay  of  Islands  on  the  western  coast  to  the 
shores  of  Notre  Dame  Bay  on  the  eastern  coast  a  level  plain 
extends  across  the  whole  island,  the  greatest  height  of  land  not 
exceeding  130  feet.  This  plain  presents  admirable  facilities 
for  establishing  intercourse,  by  road  or  railway  construction, 
between  the  Ilumber  district,  with  its  fertile  soil  and  valuable 
timber,  and  the  mining  regions  around  the  shores  of  Notre 
Dame  Bay.  There  is  a  fine  stretch  of  country  between  these 
two  points,  the  land  being  in  many  places  excellent  and  of 
considerable  extent,  the  timber  abundant  and  of  largo  size, 
and  the  mineral  indications  at  several  points  of  a  very  prom- 
ising character.  From  5,000  to  10,000  people  could  find 
comfortable  homes  along  this  great  plain.  A  chain  of  small 
lakes,  with  rivers  flowing  from  them,  extends  from  Hall's 
Bay  to  the  shores  of  Grand  Lake,  with  only  one  portage  a 
mile  wide.  By  following  these  rivers  and  lakes  a  journey 
across  is  greatly  facilitated.  From  Grand  Lake  the  route 
lies  across  a  portage  of  nine  miles  in  width,  and  then  the  Ilum- 
ber llivcr  is  reached,  flowing  through  Deer  Lake  into  Ilum- 
ber Sound.  The  scenery  along  this  route,  especially  at  the 
Birchy  Ponds,  is  very  beautiful,  and  for  picturesqueness  will 


NEWFOUNDLAND   RESOURCES. 


4.'3 


IS  already 
t,  Bay  of 
iminenae 
It  and  thu 
ind  iudus- 
Iie  district 
lowed  by 
ling,  lisli- 
c  arc  ^.— 
rants  who 
OS  to  tile 


NOTRE 


st  to  the 
3vel  plain 
f  land  not 
!  facilities 
struction, 
I  valuable 
of  Notre 
een  these 
nt  and  of 
ii'go  wize, 
ly  prom- 
ould  find 
i  of  small 
)m  Hall's 
)ortage  a 
journey 
the  route 
he  Hum- 
ito  Ilum- 
\y  at  the 
ness  will 


compare  favorably,  at  several  places,  with  the  lake  country 
of  England  or  Scotland.  Game  of  various  kinds  is  abun- 
dant,  and  deer,  at  the  proper  season,  are  met  with  in  largo 
numbers. 

ROAD   SURVEY. C.    J.    HARVEY. 

In  1878  Mr.  C.  J.  Harvey,  civil  engineer,  was  sent  to 
survey  a  road  through  this  valley  from  east  to  west.  His 
report,  which  was  printed  in  the  Journal  of  the  House  of 
Assembly  for  1879,  contains  some  very  interesting  informa- 
tion regarding  the  character  of  the  region  traversed,  in  re- 
gard to  its  soil,  timber,  and  mineral  indications.  The 
terminus  of  his  road,  which  started  from  the  head  of  the 
South-west  Arm  of  Green  Bay,  Notre  Dame  Bay,  was  on 
the  shore  of  Ilumber  Sound,  Bay  of  Islands.  The  total 
length  was  99  miles. 

EASTERN    SECTION   OF   ROAD. 

The  eastern  section  of  the  road  includes  the  country  from 
south-west  arm  to  the  water-shed  between  Indian  Brook 
■  and  Birchy  Ponds,  the  distance  being  25  miles.  The  height 
of  this  water-shed  above  sea-level  was  found  to  be  85  feet,  or 
an  average  of  3.4  feet  to  the  mile,  —  a  proof  of  the  facility  of 
road-construction,  the  grades  being  very  easy.  Of  the  re- 
sources of  this  section,  Mr.  Hai*vey's  report  says  :  "  There  is 
a  very  fair  extent  of  land  available  for  farming  purposes  at  the 
head  of  South-west  Arm  and  at  South  Brook.  The  land  in  the 
valle^'  from  South-west  Arm  to  Indian  Brook,  in  many 
places,  is  of  an  excellent  character,  having  a  good  soil  and 
tolerably  large  timber.  There  are  several  marshes,  which 
are  not  deep,  having  a  solid  bottom  at  the  depth  of  two  or 
three  feet,  and  these,  if  drained,  would  make  very  good 
meadow  land.  On  both  sides  of  Shoal  Pond  the  soil  is  a 
rich  sandy  loam.  From  the  west  end  of  Shoal  Pond  along 
the  line  there  is  a  soft,  wet  marsh  for  a  distance  of  a  little 
over  a  quarter  of  a  mile.  Then  good  dry  soil  is  reached 
which  extends  to  Indian  Brook.     The  timber  is  principally 


46 


HAND-BOOK  OF 


such  varieties  as  white  and  black  sprace,  Canada  balsam, 
white  birch,  juniper  or  tamarack,  and  white  pine.  Tha  pines 
are  rather  scattered,  but  are  pretty  numerous  on  the  ridge 
on  the  north  side  of  Shoal  Pond.  Although  this  part  of  the 
eastern  section  cannot  be  called  a  good  country  for  lumber- 
ing opeiatioils,  yet  it  contains  a  very  large  amount  of  tim- 
ber, available  for  coopers,  farmers,  and  ship-builders.  The 
size  of  the  timber  varies  from  six  inches  to  two  feet  in  diam- 
eter." 


INDIAN   BROOK   VALLEY. 

"  The  soil  of  the  portion  of  Indian  Brook  Valley  over  which 
the  line  passes  is  really  very  rich  as  far  as  a  point  about  19 
miles  from  South-west  Arm.  It  then  changes  its  character 
and  becomes  poor  and  rocky.  As  for  the  portion  of  the 
valley  from  Indian  Pond  east  to  Hall's  Bay,  I  only  passed 
through  it  on  my  way  back  to  St.  John's,  and  cannot  speak 
so  confidentlv  of  its  character.  But  I  saw  enouijh  to  con- 
vince  mo  that  there  is  a  large  extent  of  very  fertile  land  in 
this  section,  and  that  there  is  still  some  good  lumber  left 
standing,  although  lumbering  operations  have  been  going  on 
here  for  a  long  time,  and  fire  has  devastated  the  whole  length 
of  the  valley  from  the  water-shed,  —  distant  44  miles  from 
the  mouth  of  the  brook.  The  soil  is  a  rich  sandy  loam,  very 
easily  worked.  Unfortunately  the  timber  in  Indian  Brook 
Valley  has  all  been  burned,  and,  although  left  standing,  it 
gives  the  country  a  desolate  appearance.  The  area  of  land 
available  for  farming  purposes  in  the  valley  cannot  be'  less 
than  50  square  miles,  or  32,000  acres."  This  would  give  80 
acres  each  to  400  families.  The  report  states  the  area  of 
timber-bearing  land  at  100  square  miles.  The  timber  is 
principally  white  pine,  white  and  black  spruce,  whito  birch, 
and  var.  The  pines  vary  from  one  foot  to  three  and  a  half 
feet  in  diameter  at  the  butt.  "  There  is  still  a  considerable 
quantity  of  timber  available  for  lumberers,  and  a  very  large 
quantity  suitable  for  farmers  and  builders.  .  .  .  The  great 
advantage  of  the  Eastern  Section  is  its  proximity  to  the  min- 


NEWFOUNDLAND   RESOURCES. 


47 


ing  regions  of  Green  Bay."  A  large  population  will  one  day 
find  employment  in  the  mines,  and  thus  a  ready  market 
would  be  found  for.  any  produce  that  might  be  raised  on  the 
lands  in  the  Eastern  Section. 


MINERALS   OF   THE    REGION. 

"  There  is  a  probability  that  copper  may  be  found  in  this 
Eastern  Section.  The  chloritic  slates,  which  are  so  rich  in 
copper  on  the  sea-coast,  are  found  in  several  localities  on 
this  route,  and  traces  of  copper  and  iron  pyrites  were  observ- 
able at  a  point  about  two  miles  in  from  the  South-west  Arm  ; 
also  about  four  miles  in,  and  at  the  east  and  west  extremities 
of  the  Indian  Ponds. 


CENTRAL    SECTION. 

"The  Central  Section  extends  from  the  height  of  land 
between  the  waters  flowing  cast  and  west  as  far  as  the  cross- 
ing of  the  River  Humber,  a  distance  by  the  surveyed  lino  of 
about  39^  miles. 

"  This  section  contains  many  tracts  of  good  land,  but  they 
are  so  scattered  and  undefined  in  area  that  it  is  very  difiicult 
to  form  an  approximate  estimate  even  of  the  total  extent  of  land 
available  for  agriculture.  .  .  .  From  the  crossing  of  Main 
Brook  to  the  Humber  River  there  are  innumerable  patches  * 
of  good  land,  all  covered  with  fair-sized  timber.  There  are 
a  great  many  marshes  in  this  region,  and  these,  if  drained, 
could  be  converted  into  extensive  meadows.  .  .  .  The 
Central  Section  may  be  looked  upon  as  an  extensive  lumber- 
ing region.  Along  Birchy  Ponds  and  Sandy  Pond  there  is  a 
great  quantity  of  timber  of  good  size  and  quality.  The 
varieties  are  white  pine,  white  birch,  white  and  black  spruce, 
var,  and  juniper.  It  may  be  mentioned  that  ash-trees  grow 
on  some  portion  of  the  river  between'  Seal  Pond  and  Sandy 
Pond.  The  pines  are  very  numerous  on  the  shores  of  Sandj' 
Pond.  .  .  .  There  is  a  very  extensive  growth  of  timber 
in  the  country  between  Main  Brook  and  the  Humber." 


.'^ 


48  HAND-BOOK  OF 


COAL. 

"  There  is  another  important  consideration  about  this  dis- 
trict. In  going  from  the  crossings  of  Main  Brook  to  that 
of  the  Humber  River,  the^road  would  cross  the  broadest 
portion  of  what  is  shown  in  Murray's  valuable  geological 
map  as  the  coal-bearing  region  of  our  island."  Coal  has 
been  found  in  small  seams  on  Coal  Brook,  which  empties  into 
Grand  Lake.     The  largest  seam  was  17  inches  in  thickness. 

WESTERN   SECTION. 

"  The  Western  Section  includes  that  portion  of  the  Hum- 
ber Valley  below  Seal  Pool  and  along  Deer  Pond,  and  the 
Lower  Humber  down  to  the  seaboard,  at  a  place  called  Wild 
Cove,  on  the  Humber  Arm,  a  distance  of  34  miles     .     .     .. 
From  what  I  saw  myself  I  am  fully  convinced  that  the  Humber        I 
Valley,  and  the  country  in  its  vicinity,  is  extremely  fertile,         f 
and  contains  a  great  quantity  of  valuable  timber."  | 

"  I  met  a  very  intelligent  Nova  Scotian,  named  George  | 
Nichols,  who  has  been  living  on  the  banks  of  the  Humber  I 
for  six  years.  His  house  is  situated  about  a  mile  from  the 
east  end  of  Deer  Pond.  He  has  {*  few  acres  of  land  cleared 
near  his  house  from  which  he  raised  ail  kinds  of  crops  which 
grew  remarkably  well.  The  luxuriant  vegetation  of  his  gar- 
•den  I  never  saw  surpassed  except  in  Manitoba.  Ho  consid- 
ered the  soil  in  the  Humber  Valley  superior  to  any  he  ever 
saw  in  Nova  Scotia,  and  the  climate  warmer  and  more  free 
from  frosts  which  would  injure  plants.  Since  h*?  has  lived 
there  he  had  no  crops  of  any  kind  nipped  by  fronts.  He 
considered  the  soil  admirably  adapted  to  raise  cereals,  viz., 
wheat,  barley,  oats,  and  even  buckwheat." 

EXTENT   OF   GOOD   LAND. 

"  Enough  has  now  been  said  to  prove  that  the  area  of  the 
Central  and  Western  Sections  includes  very  highly  produc- 
tive land,  with  excellent  timber  on  it.  The  total  extent  in 
these  two  together  cannot  be  much   less  than  250  square 


NEWFOUNDLAND  RESOURCES. 


49 


-his  dis- 
to  that 
)ioade8t 
ological 
loal  has 
:ies  into 
ickness. 


5  Hum- 
and  the 
id  Wild 


miles,  or  160,000  square  acres  of  good  agricultural   land. 
This  would  make  a  grand  total  of  300  square  miles,  includ- 


ing the  Eastern  Section." 


FACILITIES   FOR  A   RAILWAY. 

"  A  railway  would  decidedly  be  tl  e  most  advantageous 
way  of  opening  up  the  country  and  inducing  people  to  settle 
in  the  interior  ...  A  narrow-gauge  railway  could  be  very 
cheaply  built  across  the  island,  and  would  answer  all  the  re- 
quirements very  well.  « 

"  The  climate  of  the  west  coast  and  of  the  interior  is  equal 
to  that  of  any  part  of  Canada,  and  superior  to  that  of  Mani- 
toba." 


lumber 
fertile, 

George 
lumber 
om  the 
cleared 
3  which 
lis  gar- 
cons  id- 
le ever 
)re  free 
s  lived 
8.  Ho 
3,  viz., 


of  the 
)roduc- 
tent  in 
square 


60 


HAND-BOOK  OF 


CHAPTER  m. 


TnE  EAST  COAST. 


VALLEYS   OF  THE    EXPLOITS,    GANDER,   AND   GAMBO. 

There  now  remain  the  two  great  fertile  belts  opening  on 
the   eastern   side   of    the  island  to   be  described,    namely, 
t  the  Valley  of  the  Exploits,  and  the  Gander  and  Gambo 
country. 

BAY   OF    EXPLOITS. — TOPOGRAPHY. 

The  Bay  of  Exploits  forms  a  deep  bight  on  the  south  coast 
of  the  great  Bay  of  Notre  Dame.  It  has  numerous  arms,  the 
greatest  being  the  inlet  which  leads  to  the  entrance  of  the 
Exploits  lliver.  There  are  several  islands  in  this  arm,  the 
principal  being  Thwart  Island,  on  the  eastern  side.  "The 
water,"  says  Mr.  Murray's  report  for  1871,  "is  deep,  and 
there  is  no  impediment  to  navigation  for  vessels  of  any  size 
until  reaching  Peter's  Arm,  where  there  is  a  good  anchor- 
age .  .  .  The  entrance  to  the  Exploits  River  is  at  Wigwam 
Point,  in  lat.  49°  5' N.,  long.  55°  19' W.,  nearly  at  the 
south-western  extreme  of  the  long  arm  already  indicated. 
Immediately  opposite  this  entrance  is  Norris  Arm,  stretching 
for  about  six  miles  a  little  north  of  east,  with  an  average 
width  rarely  exceeding  half  a  mile,  at  the  head  of  which 
another  considerable  stream  falls  in  from  the  eastward. 
Taking  its  rise  near  the  south-western  angle  of  the  island, 
and  within  a  moderate  distance  of  St.  George's  Bay,  this 
magnificent  river,  with  its  numerous  tributaries,  drains  an 
area  of  nearly  4,000  square  miles." 


LOWER  VALLEY  OF  EXPLOITS. 


Except  at  the  mouth  of  the  river,  and  on  the  arm,  where 
a  few  settlers  are  found,  there  arc  no  inhabitants  in  all  this 
great  valley.     The  river  flows  through  Red  Indian  Lake,  37 


NEWFOUNDLAND  RESOURCES.     • 


51 


miles  in  kngtli,  and  distant  from  the  mouth  of  the  river  be- 
tween 70  and  80  miles.  The  lower  valley  of  the  Exploits, 
between  the  lake  and  the  sea,  is  capable  of  sustaining  many 
thousands  of  inhabitants.  "The  soil,"  says  Mr.  ]\Iurray,  ''is 
equal  to  the  best  parts  of  Lower  Canada,  with  little  swamp, 
unencumbered  with  boulders,  the  hills  wooded  to  their  tops, 
and  from  two  to  live  miles  wide."  The  root-crops  grown  by 
the  settlers  —  potatoes,  turnips,  parsnips,  etc. — ho  pro- 
nounces "  tho  finest  ho  ever  saw."  The  timl)cr  is  in  many 
places  still  abundant,  consisting  of  pine,  Avhite  birch,  very 
largo  spruce,  and  tamarack.  Lumbering  operations  arc  car- 
ried on  here  on  a  small  scale,  but  might  be  largely  increased. 
The  river  and  its  tributaries  afford  water-power  to  any  extent. 
The  facilities  for  stock-raising  are  unrivalled,  while  railways 
or  common  roads  could  be  easily  constructed,  tho  valley 
being  for  the  most  part  a  dead  level. 


FALLS   AND   CHUTES    ON  RIVER. 

"  The  ascent  of  the  river  by  canoe  or  light  boat  although 
not  difficult  is  tedious,  as  there  are  so  many  strong  rapids 
to  encounter,  and  several  falls  and  chutes,  over  which  port- 
ages have  to  be  made.  The  first  of  these  obstructions  is  at 
the  Bishop's  Fall,  of  19  feet,  above  which,  but  particularly 
for  six  or  seven  miles  above  tho  junction  of  tho  Great  Rat- 
tling Brook,  the  river  is  more  or  less  rapid  all  the  way  to 
tho  Grand  Falls.  The  Grand  Falls  consist  of  a  succession 
of  chutes  (one  of  about  30  feet)  and  v.olcnt  rapids,  some- 
what over  a  milo  in  length,  and  sjivinj?  altosethor,  from  bot- 
tom  to  top,  a  rise  of  145  feet.  At  a  short  distance  above  the 
Grand  Falls  there  is  an  abrupt  chute,  and  above  it  the  river 
continues  to  be  rapid  and  turbulent,  till  reaching  tho  smooth 
waters  of  a  lake-like  expansion  at  tho  mouth  of  llushy 
Brook." 

TRIBUTARIES  OF  THE    EXPLOITS. 

Below  the  Red  Indian  Lake  eight  considerable  tributaries 
pour  their  waters  into  the  Exploits,  the  largest  being  Great 


52 


HAND-BOOK  OF 


Rattling  Brook,  Chute,  Sandy,  and  Badger  Brooks,  while 
there  are  four  large  and  important  streams  which  discharge 
into  the  lake  itself.  The  smaller  tributaries  are  very 
numerous. 


i,  I'lM 


VALLEY   OF   THE    EXPLOITS. — SOIL   AND   TIMBER. 

"  The  main  river  valley  from  Red  Indian  Lake  downwards 
is  nearly  for  the  whole  distance  a  level  or  gently-undulating 
country,  broken  only  by  occasional  abrupt  hills  or  rocky 
eminences,  and  densely  wooded  for  many  miles  back,  from 
either  bank  of  the  stream.  .  .  .  The  forests  of  the 
Ex[)loits  Valley  consist  of  pine,  spruce,  balsam-fir,  tamarack, 
white  birch,  and  poplar.  .  .  .  The  quality  of  its 
spontaneous  productions  may  fairly  be  taken  as  indicative 
of  a  fertile  soil.  The  width  of  this  fertile  belt  of  land 
varies  at  difierent  parts  of  the  river ;  but,  taking  its  average 
about  two  miles  on  either  side  (and  it  probably  is  much 
more),  there  would  be  an  area  of  reclaimable  country  of 
about  280  square  miles,  or  179,200  acres."  This  estimate,  it 
should  be  noted,  refers  only  to  the  lower  reaches  of  the  river, 
and  does  not  include  the  country  around  Red  Indian  Lake, 
or  that  around  the  arms  of  the  bay.  The  report  adds  :  "At 
the  mouth  of  the  river  the  reclaimable  land  extends  to  the 
northward  for  about  five  miles,  terminating  with  the  northern 
arm;  and  there  are  large  tracts  around  Norris  Arm,  and  in 
the  valley  of  the  Great  Rattling  Brook,  which  are  capable  of 
cultivation.  The  fertility  of  the  soil  at  tbis  part  of  the 
region  is  amply  testified  wherever  cultivation  has  been 
,  attempted,  producing  roots,  potatoes,  grass,  and  other  crops 
of  the  finest  description,  while  as  a  grazing  or  stock-raising 
country  it  can  hardly  be  surpassed.  The  surface-soil  is  gen- 
erally of  sand  or  a  sandy  loam,  which  at  the  upper  part  of 
the  valley  is  underlaid  by  a  drift  of  clay  and  gravel,  while 
at  the  lower  parts  the  subsoil  is  tenacious,  bluish,  or  drab- 
colored  clay,  which  is  occasionally  slightly  calcareous." 


NEWFOUNDLAND  RESOURCES. 


56 


)ks,  while 
discharge 
are   very 


JER. 

ownwards 
indulating 

or  rocky 
jack,  from 
!sts  of  the 
tamarack, 
ity  of    its 

indicative 
It  of  land 
its  average 
ly  is  much 

ountry  of 
(stimate,  it 
f  the  river, 
[Ian  Lake, 
idds:  "At 
nds  to  the 
10  northern 
'm,  and  in 

capable  of 
•art  of  the 

has  been 
)ther  crops 
ock-raising 
soil  is  gen- 
per  part  of 
avel,  while 
h,  or  drab- 
ous." 


RESOURCES   OF   EXPLOITS    VALLEY. 

"  No  observant  person  visiting  the  Valley  of  the  Exploits 
could  fail  to  be  impressed  with  the  manifold  advantages  it 
presents  for  the  prosecution  of  industrial  pursuits,  such  as 
lumbering  and  agriculture.  With  a  splendid  river,  abundant 
timber,  and  a  fertile  soil,  the  region  that  is  now  a  wilder- 
ness might,  by  energy  and  enterprise,  be  soon  converted 
into  a  thriving  settlement,  maintaining  a  large  population." 


I 


Is 


UPPER   VALLEY   OF    EXPLOITS.  —  MR.    HOWLEY'S    SURVEY. 

In  1875  Mr.  Howley  made  a  survey  of  the  upper  valley 
of  the  Exploits  River,  in  continuation  of  that  of  Mr. 
Murray  in  1871.  Above  Red  Indian  Lake  he  found  that 
the  river  is  divided  into  two  branches,  —  the  main  river,  or 
Exploits  proper,  and  the  Victoria  branch.  The  former  rises 
•not  more  than  12  miles  from  the  sea-coast,  flows  through 
King  George  IV.  Lake  and  several  smaller  ponds.  "  From 
this  lake  the  course  of  the  river  is  remarkably  straight  in  a 
north-easterly  direction,  till  it  joins  the  Red  Indian  Lake  at 
th<f  end  of  upwards  of  40  miles."  Red  Indian  Lake  is  468 
feet  above  the  l^lfljif  of  the  sea.  The  Victoria  branch  of  the 
Exploits  takes  i||Sfcl  origin  between  the  White  Bear  and 
Grandy's  Brook  ;|?titers,  which  interlock  each  other,  and  the 
eastern  branch  of  the  LaPoile,  and  it  flows  generally  nearly 
parallel  with  the  main  river  to  its  junction  with  the  Red 
Indian  Lake,  about  four  miles  above  the  outlet.  South-west 
from  that  junction,  at  the  end  of  47  miles,  the  river  expands 
into  a  magnificent  sheet  of  water  called  Victoria  Lake,  which 
is  IG  miles  long  by  a  breadth  of  about  three-quarters  of  a 
mile.  Its  whole  arc,  including  a  hv  about  three  miles  long 
and  over  three-quarters  of  a  mile  wide,  is  nearly  20  square 
miles,  and  its  elevation  above  the  sea  is  1,160  feet. 

VICTORIA    RIVER.  —  LAND    AND   TIMBER. 

The  character  of  the  country  through  which  these  streams 
flow  is  varied.      South  of   King   George   IV.   Lake   and 


'v' 

1 


54 


HAND-BOOK  OF 


Victoria  Lako  "  tho  country  is  ono  vast  desolation  of  bare 
rock  "  with  marshes  interspersed.  On  the  left  bank  of  tho 
Victoria  there  are  areas  of  well-timbered  land,  avcracjinir  five 
miles  in  width,  and  rich  "interval"  land  between  Lloyd's 
Pond  and  Red  Indian  Lake.  Sixteen  miles  up  the  Victoria 
River  "tho  country  greatly  improves,  and  a  large  tract, 
well-wooded,  generally  level  and  covered  by^  a  good  soil, 
prevails  nearly  up  to  Victoria  Lake.  This  level  and  re- 
claimablo  land  seems  to  extend  to  the  eastward,  with  a  few 
interruptions,  to  tho  Great  Rattling  Brook."  The  country 
south  of  Hodge's  Hill,  and  on  tho  southern  side  of  the 
Exploits,  "  presents  an  unbroken  dense  forest,  in  a  series  of 
gentle  undulations,  as  far  as  tho  eye  can  reach.  Tho 
country  between  the  Victoria  and  the  head  of  Red  Indian 
Lako  is  well   timbered  throuffhout." 


EXTENT  OF  LAND   AND   TIMBER. 

Commenting  on  this  survey,  Mr.  Murray  says :  "  From 
what  Mr.  Ilowley  has  ascertained  regarding  the  country 
between  the  upper  end  of  the  Red  Indian  Lake  and  tho 
Great  Rattling  Brook  there  would  appelflR'to  be  a  tract  of 
land,  more  or  less  reclairaable,  at  least  50  iiai8.es  long,  with  an 
average  width  of  15  miles,  which  would  comprise  an  area  of 
about  750  square  miles.  If  to  that  we  were  to  allow  say  50 
square  miles  of  similar  country  for  tho  lower  Exploits 
Valley,  Peter's  Brook,  and  Norris  Arm,  there  would  bo  800 
square  miles  upon  tho  Exploits  alone,  more  or  less  capable 
of  supporting  settlement.  Tho  pine  timber,  spruce,  tam- 
arack, and  birch,  over  extensive  areas,  is  reported  to  be  of 
excellent  quality  and  vigorous  growth ;  and  all  these  might 
become  available  Avere  those  regions  opened  out  by  main  lines 
of  road,  for  tho  construction  of  which  no  perceptible  diffi- 
culties present  themselves." 


NEWFOUNDLAND  RESOURCES. 


55 


THE  GANDER  COUNTRY. 


GANDER   DISTRICT   RESOURCES. 


Rich  in  agricultural  capabilities  as  is  the  yet  unpeopled 
Valley  of  the  Exploits,  it  is  greatly  surpassed  by  the  valley 
of  the  Gander,  which,  when  settled  and  cultivated,  will  be 
the  most  populous  and  flourishing  agricultural  region  in  the 
island.  In  1874  Mr.  Murray  surveyed  a  portion  of  it,  from 
the  sea  to  the  head  of  the  Gander  Lake.  In  1876  Mr. 
Howley  completed  the  work,  by  surveying  the  upper  reaches 
of  the  river.  The  total  length  of  the  main  Gander  River  is 
100  miles ;  but  another  branch  of  it,  called  the  South-west 
River,  also  empties  into  the  Gander  Lake,  and  is  80  miles 
in  length.  The  area  drained  is  nearly  3,000  square  miles. 
Altogether,  there  are  in  this  great  expanse  of  county,  in- 
cluding the  whole  of  the  Gander  River  and  Lake,  and  the 
neighboring  Gambo  and  Terra  Nova  valleys,  no  less  than 
1,700  square  miles  available  for  settlement.  This,  as  will 
be  shown  when  we  come  to  describe  the  forests,  is  the  finest 
and  most  extensive  lumbering  region  in  the  island. 


GANDER  LAKE   AND   RIVER. 

Gander  River  is  approached  from  the  sea  at  Sir  Charles 
Hamilton's  Sound,  by  the  great  inlet  of  Gander  Bay,  the 
head  of  which  is  in  lat.  49^  17'  N.,  and  long.  54^  29'  W. 
From  this  point  to  the  lake  the  river  is  30  miles  in 
length.  Gander  Lake  is  .33  miles  in  length,  with  an 
area  of  44  miles.  The  main  branch  of  the  river  extends 
above  the  lake  for  the  distance  of  GO  miles.  Thus  the 
lake  intersects  the  finest  part  of  the  district,  having  one 
outlet  by  the  river  to  Notre  Dame  Bay,  on  the  shores  of 
which  are  our  copper  mines.  This  river,  with  a  small 
outlay,  could  be  made  navigable  for  boats  of  a  good  size, 
and  down  it  timber  could  readily  be  floated  were  some 
present  obstructions  removed.  The  projected  railway,  from 
St.  John's  to  Hall's  Bay,  will,  when  completed,  traverse  the 
Gander  country.     The  eastern  portion  of  the  lake  stretches 


56 


HAND-BOOK  OP 


away,  in  serpentine  form,  towards  Bonavista  Bay,  its  ex- 
tremity being  separated  from  that  bay  by  only  nine  miles  of 
a  very  level  country,  over  which  a  road  or  tramway  could 
easily  be  constructed.  Thus  the  valley  has  two  outlets  to 
the  sea,  and  will  one  day  have  railway  communication,  in 
qno  direction  with  the  raining  district,  in  the  other  with  the 
capital  and  the  principal  towns.  It  is  difficult  to  imagine  a 
district  more  favorably  situated  for  a  farming  and  luml)ering 
population.  Along  the  valley  drained  by  the  South-west 
River,  80  miles  in  length,  the  soil  and  timber  are  reported 
to  bo  excellent.  Pine  logs,  80  feet  in  length,  have  been  cut 
around  the  mouth  of  this  river. 


SOIL   IN   GANDER   VALLEY. 

In  regard  to  the  character  of  the  soil  Mr.  Murray  says,  in 
his  report :  "  Of  this  great  expanse  of  country  a  very  large 
proportion,  particularly  eastward  from  the  main  river,  is  of 
rich  and  fertile  soil,  as  amply  testified  to  by  its  indigenous 
produce,  which,  to  a  great  extent,  consists  of  pine  and  spruce 
of  a  superior  size  and  description .  .  .  With  the  almost  un- 
rivalled capabilities  the  country 'possesses  for  grass-growing, 
breeding,  and  rearing  of  stock,  can  hardly  fail  to  become 
one  of  the  great  future  industries  of  the  province." 

MR.    HOWLEY's   report   OF   GANDER   COUNTRY. 

M:  Howley,  who  completed  the  survey  of  the  Gander 
River  above  the  lake,  says,  in  his  report :  "  Within  the 
immense  region  drained  by  the  Gander  and  Gambo  rivers 
there  is  a  vast  area  of  country  capable  of  being  easily  re- 
claimed and  converted  from  its  i)resent  state  of  wilderness  into 
agricultural  settlements.  .  .  .  The  country  lying  above 
the  great  lake,  and  forming  the  valleys  of  the  two  rivers, 
presents  everywhere  a  gently  undulating  surface,  rising  to  a 
moderate  height  in  its  more  elevated  parts,  and  sloping  grad- 
ually and  with  beautiful  regularity  down  to  the  rivers'  banks 
on  either  side.  For  a  distance  of  30  miles  above  the  lake, 
and  at  the  least  two  miles  on  the  main  and  eastern  side  of 


NEWFOUNDLAND   RESOURCES. 


»7 


4 

■I 


the  south-west  rivers,  the  country  is  of  this  character,  giving 
a  block  of  30  miles  loig  by  10  miles  wide,  or  an  area  of  300 
square  miles,  covered  with  a  deep,  rich,  yellow  sandy  loam. 
Nearly  every  acre  of  these  300  square  miles  is  well  adapted 
for  agricultural  puri)oses,  while  the  whole  is,  or  was  at  one 
time,  densely  timbered  with  magnificent  pine,  spruce,  fir.  and 
white  birch.  The  islands  or  intervals  in  the  river,  especially 
near  their  outlets,  arc  perfectly  level,  and  covered  with  exceed- 
ingly rich  and  deep  alluvial  soil.  Many  of  these  flats  are  of 
considerable  extent,  and  for  the  most  part  they  support  a 
large  growth  of  timber ;  while  a  luxuriant  crop  of  wild-grass 
flourishes  round  the  banks,  and  on  the  lower  levels.  Much 
of  the  country  surrounding  the  great  lake  is  also  w^ell 
adapted  for  settlement,  and  the  advantage  of  having  a  front- 
age on  this  future  great  highway  will  still  more  enhance  its 
value.  .  .  .  The  country  itself  is  magnificent.  1  have  never 
seen  such  an  extent  of  level  land  in  any  other  part  of  New- 
foundland. It  is  not  to  say  level  in  the  general  sense.  It  is 
composed  of  low,  rounded  ridges,  and  wide,  sloping  country, 
all  densely  timbered.  There  is  not  a  hill  anywhere  near  the 
river  from  which  a  good  view  can  be  obtained.  .  .  .  That 
the  soil  here,  over  a  very  great  area,  is  of  excellent  quality  and 
capable  of  yielding  rich  harvests,  I  cannot  doubt.  Taking 
everything  into  consideration,  I  do  not  think  that  a  more 
promising  country,  or  one  more  easy  of  access,  could  be 
found  in  British  America.  ...  In  all  my  travels  about 
the  island  I  have  nowhere  seen  anything  like  the  quantity  of 
pine  timber  to  be  met  with  here  ;  and  although  the  soil  on  the 
western  side  of  the  island  is  richer  in  some  places,  this 
country,  taking  all  its  advantages  into  consideration,  offers 
more  immediate  inducement  to  settlers." 


MINERALS   OF   THE    GANDER. 

In  addition  to  its  agricultural  and  lumbering  capabilities 
the  Ganc^  country  gives  promise  of  becoming  one  day  a 
mining  region.  The  rocks  of  the  serpentine  group,  having 
all  the  characteristics   of  the   copper-bearing  formation  in 


r,' 


68 


HAND-BOOK  OP 


Notro  Djimo  Bay,  aro  extensively  developed  in  the  Gander 
district,  not  only  on  the  north  and  north-cast  of  the  lake, 
but  also  on  the  main  river  above  the  lake,  where  they  occupy 
an  iuunensc  area.  "It  i.s  oniy  reasonable  to  suppose,"  says 
Mr.  Ilowlcy,  "that  (he  ores  of  copper  and  nickel  will  be 
found  to  exist  here  also." 

GAMBO   RIVER   TIMBER. 

Of  tlio  Gambo  River  Mr.  Ilowley  says :  "  The  timber  on 
the  Gambo,  especially  in  the  valley  of  the  Triton  Kiver,  is 
very  fine.  Pino  is  abundant,  and,  though  not  generally  so 
largo  as  that  of  the  Gander,  is  of  excellent  quaHt3\  The 
white  birch,  spruce,  and  fir,  along  the  banks  of  the  river,  aro 
remarkably  fine  ;  indeed,  I  have  seldom  seen  finer  in  any  part 
of  the  island.  The  land  available  for  general  agriculture  in 
the  valley  of  the  Gambo  is  not  extensive,  being  chiefly  con- 
fined to  the  alluvial  flats  on  either  side  of  the  river.  These, 
however,  aro  frequently  richly  luxuriant,  as  testified  by  the 
indigenous  vegetntion,  especially  in  the  valley  of  the  Triton 
River,  where  they  arc  generally  upwards  of  a  mile  in  width, 
extending  from  the  outlet  into  the  upper  ponds,  and  to  the 
forks." 


TOPOGRAPHY  OF   THE   GAMBO. 

Regarding  the  topography  of  this  region  Mr.  Howley  says : 
"The  Gambo  River  is  approached  from  the  sea  by  a  long 
narrow  arm  of  the  Great  Bay  of  Bonavista,  which  stretches 
inland  some  tvventy  miles  from  the  open  water  of  the  latter, 
bearing  generally  south-west  by  west,  and  north-cast  by 
east.  The  river  enters  at  its  extreme  head,  its  mouth  being 
situated  in  lat.  48^  46'  5'',  long.  54°  12'  32".  Two  miles 
and  three-quarters  from  its  outlet  it  expands  into  a  long,  nar- 
row lake,  known  to  the  lumbermen  as  the  First  or  Lower 
Gambo  Pond.  It  then  contracts  at  a  place  called  the  Straits, 
for  a  little  over  one  mile,  and  expands  again  into  the  Second, 
or  Upper  Gambo  Pond,  nearly  equal  in  length  to  the  first, 
but  somewhat  wider.     Triton  River  enters  this  lake  in  a  bay 


NEWFOUNDLAND  RESOURCES. 


59 


about  throe  miles  from  its  head,  tho  Rivcrhoad  Brook  fulling 
in  ut  its  extreme  western  end." 


SMALLER   AGRICULTURAL   SECTIONS. 

We  have  now  gone  over  tho  groat  agricultural  regions  on 
tho  western  and  eastern  coasts  of  tho  island*,  and  shown  tho 
extent  and  character  of  tho  lands  suited  for  settlement  in 
those  regions,  as  well  as  their  chief  topographical  features. 
Tho  smaller  tracts  of  land  iittcd  for  agricultural  operations 
are  too  numerous  to  admit  of  a  detailed  account.  They  arc 
found  alonij  tho  banks  of  the  smaller  streams  and  around 
the  heads  of  all  tho  great  bays.  In  many  [)laces  they  arc 
found  in  small  and  detached  patches,  with  large  stretches  of 
swampy  or  rocky  land  between,  but,  united,  they  would  con- 
stitute a  very  largo  area  of  valuable  land.  Tho  principal  of 
these  minor  farming  districts  arc  in  Bonavista  Bay,  around 
the  shores  and  arms  of  which  there  is  much  fertile  soil,  —  the 
north  side  of  Smith's  Sound,  Trinity  Bay,  Placcntia  Bay, 
St.  Mary's  peninsula,  and  especially  the  Salmonicr  arm  of 
that  bay,  where  there  is  a  very  considerable  extent  of  good 
soil,  but  little  of  which  is  yet  under  cultivation.  Though 
much  of  the  peninsula  of  Avulon  consists  of  poor,  rocky, 
swampy,  or  absolutely  sterile  soil,  yet  there  arc,  in  the  regions 
indicated, — the  heads  of  the  bays  and  the  banks  of  the 
various  rivers,  —  enough  fertile  soil  to  sustain  a  large  popu- 
lation. Many  of  the  districts,  too,  where  there  is  little 
arable  land,  arc  admirably  fitted  for  grazing  cattle  and  sheep, 
and  general  stock-raising. 


60  HAND-BOOK  OF 


CHAPTER  IV. 

TOWNSHIP    SUfiVEY  IN   THE    PENINSULA    OF  AVAL  ON, 
ALONG    THE   LINE    OF  RAILWAY. 

r 

MR.  Harvey's  to wk ship  survey  in   avalon. 

During  the  lust  two  years  a  very  useful  and  important 
township  survey  has  been  conducted  in  that  part  of  the 
ipeninsula  of  Avalon  which  lies  between  Conception  and 
Trinity  bays,  and  through  which  the  railway  between  St. 
John's  and  Harbor  Grace  runs.  The  object  is  to  facilitate 
settlement  of  those  lands  which,  being  situated  on  each  side 
of  the  railway,  are  thus  greatly  enhanced  in  value,  and  will 
be  eagerly  sought  for  by  intending  settlers.  The  system  of 
blocking  out  the  townships  is  the  same  as  that  adopted  in 
the  United  States  and  Canada.  The  townships  are  each  six 
miles  square,  and  thus  co\»'  dn  36  square  miles.  They  are 
subdivided  into  square  mile  blocks,  each  having  its  own 
number,  the  numbers  ranging  from  one  to  thirty-six,  and 
arranged  on  a  map.  Each  square  mile  again  can  be  sub- 
divided into  four  equal  parts,  each  containing  100  acres, 
which  constitute  a  farm. 

This  survey  has  been  carried  out  by  Mr.  Charles  J. 
Harvey,  C.E.,  in  1883,  1884,  and  1885.  His  reports  for 
the  first  two  of  ti^ose  years  have  been  published ;  that  of 
1885  has  not  yet  been  printed.  In  the  last-named  year  Mr. 
J.  P.  Howley  was  also  engaged  in  the  same  survey. 

LAND   AND   TIMBER. 

From  Mr.  Harvey's  reports  we  learn  that  this  region, 
which  was  regarded  as  one  of  the  least  promising  in  the 
island,  contains  very  large  quantities  of  fine  timber,  and 
many  thousands  of  acres  well  suited  to  agricultural  purposes. 
The  areas  of  good  land  arc  not  generally  large,  but  a  very 
considerable  population  can  be  located  on  good  farms  along 


NEWFOUNDLAND  RESOURCES. 


61 


the  line  of  railway,  which  presents  facilities  for  conveying 
produce  to  markets  in  Harbor  Grace,  St.  John's,  and  other 
places,  where  high  prices  will  be  obtained. 

A  few  extracts  from  these  reports  will  show  the  character 
of  the  country  surveyed  and  the  locality  of  the  fertile  areas. 
As  only  a  very  few  of  the  sectional  lines  of  the  townships 
are  yet  run,  it  is  impossible  as  yet  to  determine  exactly  the 
area  of  good  land  and  timber  which  may  be  available ;  but, 
when  the  subdividing  lines  are  run  a  mile  apart,  a  more 
accurate  knowledge  of  the  country  will  be  obtained. 


FROM  SALMON  COVE  TO  COLINET. 

In  the  survey  of  1884  the  starting-point  w^s  Salmon  Cove, 
on  the  north  shore  of  Conception  Bay.  The  first  line  which 
was  riin  took  the  direction  of  the  Blue  Hill  range,  past 
Spread  Eagle  Peak,  where  a  magnificent  view  of  the  country 
around  for  20  miles  h  obtained.  Colliers  River  and  Colliers 
Big  Pond  were  first  reached,  and  then  the  valley  of  the 
Goulds  Brook.  "  Here  the  soil  and  timber  were  superior  to 
any  yet  seen  since  leaving  Salmon  Cove."  Big  Barren  Pond 
was  the  next  point.  The  country  thus  traversed  "  is  not 
fertile,  though  some  spots  contain  good  land,  particularly 
Goulds  Brook  Valley."  From  the  west  side  of  Big  Barren 
Pond  to  Hodge  Water  River  "  the  line  passed  over  an  almost 
continuous  barren  with  a  few  wooded  hummocks  scattered 
on  it.  Some  very  fine  timber  was  seen  between  Hodge 
Water  River  and  the  junction  where  the  branch  line  of 
railway  to  Harbor  Grace  starts.  The  best  of  it  was  witcii-hazel 
or  yellow-birch  and  fir.  .  .  .  At  Big  Island  Pond  some 
very  good  timber  was  seen,  —  spruce,  fir,  and  yellow-birch." 
The  countrv  next  traversed  was  marsh v,  with  wooded 
hillocks,  till  Colinet  Valley  was  reached.  "  Here  good  soil 
and  timber  were  seen,  the  principal  varieties  of  wood  being 
fir  and  yellow-birch."  Goulds  Brook  Valley  was  again 
reached.  "It  contains  a  large  area  of  land  which  is  rich  in 
soil  and  covered  with  timber  of  large  size  and  good  quality, 
and  capable  of  being  farmed  to  advantage.     A  very  large 


62 


HAND-BOOK  OP 


quantity  of  timber  has  been  cut  in  this  neighborhood  already, 
but  still  there  remains  much  available  for  ship-building, 
house-building,  cooperage,  firewood,  and  fencing." 

TIMBER. CULTIVABLE    LAND. 

Mr.  Harvey  closes  his  report  for  1883  as  follows :  "There 
is  no  doubt  that  the  interior  of  Avalon  is  rich  in  timber  yet, 
though  so  much  has  been  already  cut.  One  beneficial  result 
of  the  railway  will  be  to  open  up  at  once  a  ready  means  of 
access  to  many  valuable  localities,  where  all  sorts  of  timber 
can  bo  procured  that  are  required  in  this  country,  with  the 
exception  of  pine.  Pine  is  not  plentiful,  and  wherever 
accesible  has  been  already  largely  cut  out.  It  is  also  certain 
that  there  is  a  large  area  of  land  very  well  adapted  for  culti- 
vation and  farming,  particularly  in  Goulds  Bro*"'?  and  Colinet 
valleys.  The  Colinet  Valley  is  fully  equal  to  that  of  Salm- 
onier,  which  it  much  resembles.  The  scenery  and  appear- 
ance of  many  of  the  ponds  are  very  fine,  and  trout  of  large 
size  and  good  quality  are  abundant  in  many  places,  particu- 
larly in  the  Colinet  and  Ilodgo  Water  rivers." 

EXTENT   OF   SURVEY. 

The  total  mileage  of  the  survey  was  70  miles,  the  area 
covered  being  72  square  miles,  equal  to  '40,080  acres.  A 
distinguishing  feature  in  the  region  was  the  abundant  supply 
of  water,  so  important  ii^  an  agricultural  settlement. 


SURVEY    OF    1S84. 

Mr.  Harvey's  second  township  survey  was  made  in  1884  in 
the  same  region  :  "  Eighty-five  miles  were  cut  and  measured, 
which  may  be  classified  as  follows :  30  miles  of  block  lines 
or  toAvnship  boundaries  ;  52  miles  of  subdividings  or  section 
lines  ;  three  miles  of  road  survev,  being  the  location  of  a  road 
from  Broad  Cove  River  Bridge,  on  the  railway  (about  nine 
miles  north  of  Harbor  Grace  Junction),  to  Broad  Cove,  a 
part  of  Dildo  Harbor,  in  Trinity  Bay. 


NEWFOUNDLAND  KESOURCES. 


68 


DIRECTION  OF  LINES   RUN. 

The  first  meridian  line  cut  crossed  Colliers  Big  Pond,  and 
then  the  railway,  touched  the  west  shore  of  Hearn's  Pond, 
(the  w^aters  of  Colliers. Bay  River),  and  finally  crossed  a 
very  large  pond  (the  head-waters  of  the  east  branch  of  the 
Colinet  River).  "The  country  traversed  on  this  line  was 
in  general  of  a  good  description,  and  the  timber  seen  was 
small,  the  principal  variety  being  spruce.  A  small  area  of 
good  land  was  passed  through  on  the  north  side  of  Colliers 
Big  Pond,  and  also  as  the  south  extremity  of  the  meridian 
was  approached,  near  the  township  run  in  1883.  These  areas 
produced  good  yellow  birch  and  white  birch  and  fir." 

The  next  meridian  line  cut  commenced  on  the  base  line  of 
1883,  at  the  18-mile  post,  and  ran  northwards  towards  Trinity 
Bay.  Very  little  good  land  was  passed  through  on  this 
line. 

"  From  the  north  end  of  this  meridian  a  township  boundary 
was  run  eastward  for  six  miles,  crossing  Dildo  Pond  and  the 
railway  track.  On  the  we»t  side  of  Dildo  Poiftl  a  large 
area  of  fine  soil,  covered  with  largo  white  and  yellow 
birches,  extends  the  whole  length  of  the  pond.  On  the  east 
side  of  the  pond  the  land  is  not  so  good,  and  the  timber  is 
principally  small  spruce  till  reaching  the  third-mile  post, 
after  which  a  number  of  ffood  ridi^jes  of  land  covered  with 
birch  were  crossed.  Dildo  Pond  is  a  line  sheet  of  water,  being 
3^  miles  long,  and  varying  from  an  eighth  to  three-quarters  of 
a  mile  in  breadth.  The  scenery  hero  is  ver}'^  picturesque, 
and  the  pond  and  its  tributaries  abound  in  fine  trout  and 
salmon.  The  railway  is  built  close  to  the  water's  edge  fur 
a  mile  and  a  half.  Gander  Pond,  another  beautiful  lake, 
is  crossed  near  the  fifth-mile  post  on  this  townshi[)  lino. 
The  land  on  the  east  shore  at  this  point  is  marshy  and 
barren,  but  farther  south  it  is  much  better,  and  covered 
with  sfood  timber." 

The  next  line  run  traversed  "  a  very  broken  hill}^  country, 
dotted  with  ponds,  but  the  soil  of  these  hills  was  the  best 


64 


HAND-BOOK  OP 


seen  in  this  portion  of  the  country,  and  far  superior  to  the 
soil  near  St.  John's.  The  telegraph  line  was  also  crossed, 
and  in  its  ncighborliood  tlic  soil  was  found  to  be  very  rich, 
and  free  from  rocks,  boulders,  and  stones.  A  large  pond 
was  crossed,  called  Goose  Pond,  jus.t  soutB  of  the  telegraph 
line,  and  the  soil  on  the  north  and  east  shores  Avas  of  the 
same  excellent  quality.  This  lino  finally  reached  the  railway 
line  at  Rocky-river  Bridge.  All  along  this  line  very  fine 
large  timber  was  seen,  for  the  most  part  white  and  yellow 
birch,  and  fir,  also  some  spruce." 


SPANIARDS   BAY  VALLEY. 


«rr 


The  valley  of  Spaniards  Bay  contains  a  fair  amount  of 
good  land,  covered  at  one  time  with  valuable  timber,  which 
has  been  nearly  all  cut  out  as  far  as  the  road  reaches ;  but  a 
large  area  farther  inland  yet  remains  available.  The  varieties 
are  yellow,  and  white  birch,  fir  and  spruce." 

Township  18  "  contains  a  considerable  area  of  fine  land, 
covered  with  timber  of  good  quality,  principally  birch,  fir, 
spruce  ;  pine  being  very  scarce.  The  best  land  was  seen*  on 
the  west  shore  of  Dildo  Pond,  in  the  valley  of  Dildo  lliver, 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Goose  Pond  and  the  telegraph  line." 


ROAD   SURVEY   TO   DILDO. 

"  A  road  survey  was  made  from  the  railway  at  Broad  Cove 
River  Bridge  to  Broad  Cove,  in  Dildo  Harbor,  Trinity  Bay. 
A  level  track,  easy  for  road  construction,  was  obtained  nearly 
three  miles  in  length,  by  following  the  valley  of  the  Broad 
Cove  River,  passing  near  the  south  shore  of  Broad  Covo 
Pond,  and  then  crossing  a  short  ridge  dividing  the  i)ond 
from  the  harbor.  This  route  would  admit  of  a  railway  being 
constructed  here,  if  such  a  branch  were  deemed  necessary. 
Such  a  line  weald  only  be  three  miles  in  length,  and  would 
connect  a  large  portion  of  Trinity  Bay  immediately  with  the 
railway,  as  a  small  steamer  can  run  to  Trinity  Harbor  in 
about  six  hours  from  Dildo  Cove." 


NEWFOUNDLAND  RESOURCES. 


65 


land, 


RESULTS    OF   SURVEY. 

"  Tho  result  of  the  season's  work  is  very  valuable  in  olv 
taining  tho  topography  of  a  portion  of  tho  country  never 
previously  surveyed,  and  in  establishing  the  position  of  the 
railway  in  many  places,  thus  rendering  it  possible  to  give 
correct  locations  of  land  grants  along  the  line,  which  other- 
wise would  have  been  impossible.  The  surveys  show  that  at 
least  one-fourth  of  this  part  of  the  peninsula  of  Avalon  is 
occupied  by  ponds  and  lakes,  nearly  all  of  which  arc  swarm- 
ing with  trout.  These  ponds  and  rivers  would  form  an  ex- 
cellent field  for  experiments  in  tho  artificial  breeding  of  fish, 
a  subject  of  great  practical  value,  as,  if  fish  were  successfully 
propagated  here,  they  would  prove  a  useful  article  of  diet 
to  settlers. 

"  A  considerable  area  of  the  country  has  a  soil  so  rocky, 
or  else  so  marshy,  as  to  be  unfit  for  agriculture.  I  estimate 
that  out  of  the  eight  townships  over  which  my  township  sur- 
veys extended  not  more  than  seventy  square  miles  can  be 
calcultited  on  as  capable  of  producing  good  crops.  But  if 
the  marshes  are  found  to  be  roclaimable,  as  I  think  many 
of  them  are,  a  lariye  area  would  be  available  for  meadows 
and  pasturage ;  and  so  stock-raising  could  be  prosecuted 
successfully. 

"  The  best  localities  for  good  land  are  Goulds  Brook,  Rocky 
River,  Colinet  River,  Dildo  River  and  Pond,  near  the  tele- 
graph line,  Spaniards  Bay  River,  and  North  River." 


EXTENT   OF   LAND   IN   TOWNSHIPS. 

When  the  whole  land  along  the  railway  has  been  surveyed, 
in  the  same  way,  it  will  be  found  that  the  total  area  of  re- 
claimable  land,  even  in  this  unpromising  section  of  the 
country,  is  far  greater  than  might  be  supposed,  and  that  a 
large  number  of  good  farms  might  be  located  at  no  great 
distances  from  the  line  of  railway.  Those  eight  townships 
contain  70  square  miles,  or  44,800  acres  of  good  land.  This 
would  give  448  farms  of  100  acres  each. 


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CENSUS   OF   1874. 

The  census  of  1874  gave  the  following  returns  of  agricult- 
ural operations.  (The  census  of  1884  is  not  yet  published 
in  full)  :  — 


Land,  acres  cultivated 

» 

.       36,339 

Cattle  (not  milch-cows),  head 

6,665 

Milch  cows 

7,273 

Horses 

» 

4,057 

Sheep 

.       28,766 

Swine 

.       22,955 

Goats 

6,510 

Butter,  pounds 

.     216,594 

Hay,  tons  cut 

.       24,363 

Wheat,  bushels  . 

84 

Barley,  bushels  . 

546 

Oats,  bushels 

7,104 

Potatoes,  barrels 

.     331,959 

Turnips,  barrels 

.       14,133 

Other  root  crops 

,  barr 

els 

5,487 

PROGRESS   OF   AGRICULTURE   LAST  EIGHT  YEARS. 

That  the  advance  of  agriculture  has  been  considerable 
during  the  last  eight  years  will  appear  from  the  following 
returns  furnished  by  the  Surveyor-General's  Department :  — 

Acres  of  land  granted  during  the  past  eight  years 
(exclusive  of  4,900  acres  granted  to  the  rail- 
way company)         ......       16,235 

Acres  of  land  applied  for,  for  agricultural  pur- 
poses, during  the  last  eight  years      .         .         .     192,144 

Thus  it  is  evident  that  as  the  agricultural  capabilities  of 
the  country  become  better  known,  and  the  position  of  the 
good  lands  is  ascertained  by  qualified  surveyors,  the  settle- 
ment of  the  country  proceeds  with  accelerated  pace. 


NEWFOUNDLAND  RESOURCES. 


9% 


SIR  JOHN  Harvey's  opinion. 

Before  proceeding  to  the  next  topic  it  may  not  be  amiss 
to  quote  a  few  of  the  recorded  opinions  of  the  best  judges 
in  regard  to  the  climate,  soil,  and  agricultural  capabilities  of 
the  island.  Sir  John  Harvey,  who  was  Governor  of  the  colony 
in  1842,  said,  "Both  as  regards  climate  and  agricultural 
capabilities  Newfoundland  in  many  respects  need  not  shrink 
from  a  comparison  with  the  most  favored  provinces  of  North 
America.  Its  summers,  though  short,  enjoy  an  extraordi- 
nary degree  of  vegetative  power,  which  only  requires  to  be 
duly  taken  advantage  of;  its  winters  are  neither  unusually 
long  nor  severe,  and  its  autumnal  seasons  are  as  open  and 
fine  as  'hose  of  any  of  the  surrounding  colonies.  In  point 
of  rich,  natural  grasses,  no  part  of  North  America  pro- 
duces greater  abundance.  Newfoundland,  in  fact,  appears  to 
me  to  be  calculated  to  become  essentially  a  rich  grazing 
country  ;  and  its  varied  agricultural  resources  appear  only  to 
require  roads  and  settlements  to  force  them  into  highly  re- 
munerative development." 


SIR  RICHARD  BONNYCASTLE'S   OPINION. 

Sir  Richard  Bonnycastle  in  his  work  on  Newfoundland 
speaks  of  the  island  "  as  possessing  a  climate  of  extraordinary 
salubrity,"  and  predicts  that  if  opened  up  for  settlement  it 
would  "  take  its  rank  among  the  most  flourishing  colonies  of 
the  neighboring  continent.  .  .  .  Cucumbers,  melons,  cab- 
bages, cauliflowers,  broccoli,  beet,  parsnips,  carrots,  peas,  po- 
tatoes flourish  luxuriantly.  .  .  .  The  garden  strawberries 
and  raspberries  of  every  variety  thrive  without  more  than 
the  usual  care.  .  .  .  Potatoes,  oats,  turnips,  and  all  the 
necessary  vegetables,  can  readily  be  reared,  even  on  the  very 
worst  portion  of  such  a  wilderness  as  that  of  the  littoral. 
.  .  .  The  very  worst  portion  of  the  soil  is  that  in  the 
neighborhood  of  St.  John's,  and  yet  here,  in  all  directions, 
the  plough  speeds  and  the  ancient  forest  has  vanished."  . 


HAND-BOOK  07 


DR.    mullock's   opinion. 


The  Right  Rev.  Dr.  Mullock,  Roman  Catholic  Bishop  of 
Newfoundland,  in  one  of  his  published  lectures  said:  "All 
garden  vegetables  —  cabbages,  carrots,  turnips,  salads,  etc. 
—  are  brought  to  the  highest  perfection ;  and  the  climate 
appears  specially  adapted  to  impart  succulcncy  to  them. 
The  potato,  before  the  rot,  was  of  the  finest  quality.  It  has 
now  nearly  recovered.  Wheat  will  ripen  very  well.  I  have 
never  seen  finer  barley  than  the  growth  of  Newfoundland, — 
the  same  is  true  of  oats.  Hops  are  most  luxuriant,  and  so 
are  strawberries,  currants,  gooseberries,  cherries,  and  many 
other  species  of  fruit.  .  .  .  My  estimate  of  the  agricultural 
capabilities  of  Newfoundland,  comparing  it  with  what  I  have 
seen  in  the  North  of  Europe,  is,  that  if  we  had  a  large  agri- 
cultural population  we  could  support  them  in  comfort." 


JOINT  COMMITTEE   ON  RAILWAY. 

In  1880  a  Joint  Committee  of  the  Legislative  Council  and 
House  of  Assembly,  appointed  to  consider  the  question  of 
constructing  a  railway  in  the  island,  presented  a  report,  of 
which  the  following  are  extracts  :  ''  Our  agricultural  industry, 
though  prosecuted  to  a  valuable  extent,  is  yet  susceptible 
of  very  enlarged  development.  Vast  stretches  of  agri- 
cultural land,  extending  from  Trinity  Bay,  north,  along  the 
heads  of  Bonavista  Bay,  Gander  Bay,  and  Exploits  River,  as 
well  as  on  the  west  coast,  need  only  the  employment  of  well- 
directed  labor  to  convert  them  into  means  of  independent 
support  for  thousands  of  the  population.  .  ,  .  The 
inquiry  is  further  suggested  whether  this  colony  should  not 
become  an  exporter  of  live  stock ;  and  we  have  little  diffi- 
culty in  aflirming  this  position.  For  grazing  purposes  we 
have  large  tracts  that  we  believe  cannot  be  surpassed  in 
British  North  America ;  and  when  we  regard  our  proximity 
to  England,  and  the  all-important  consideration  of  a  short 
voyage  for  live  stock,  the  advantages  we  possess  in  this  are 
too  manifest  to  be  the  subject  of  question  or  argument." 


NEWFOUNDLAND  RESOURCES. 


69 


CHAPTER  V. 


THE  FORESTS  OP  NEWFOUNDLAND. 


EXTENT   OF    TIMBER. 

Although  from  time  to  time  fires  have  destroyed  large 
sections  of  the  heavily-timbered  districts,  yet  the  forest 
wealth  still  remaining  and  yet  unutilized  is  immense.  These 
forests  arc  found  chiefly  in  the  valleys  of  the  great  rivers,  as 
has  been  already  stated,  and  along  the  banks  of  their  tribu- 
taries ;  also  in  the  country  around  St.  George's  Bay  and 
Port-a-Port.  The  varieties  of  the  indigenous  forest  timbers 
are  white  pine,  white  and  black  spruce,  tamarack  or  larch, 
fir,  yellow  and  white  birch.  Once  the  country  is  fairly 
opened  up,  a  great  timber  trade  will  be  created.  The  yel- 
low birch,  which  abounds  largely  in  St.  George's  Bay,  is 
said  to  be  equal  in  durability  to  English  oak,  and,  with  the 
spruces  and  larches,  is  admirably  adapted  for  ship-building 
purposes. 

THE   GANDER    COUNTRY'S    LUMBERING   CAPABILITIES. 

The  great  valley  of  the  Gander  is  destined  to  be  the  most 
important  lumbering  region  in  the  island.  It  is  covered  with 
pine  and  spruce  of  the  finest  description  ;  and  the  river  and 
lake  present  every  facility  for  floating  logs  to  the  sea-margin, 
where  saw-mills  could  be  erected.  On  both  sides  of  the  lake 
itself,  water-power  for  driving  machinery  could  be  obtained 
in  many  places.  Besides  the  river,  an  outlet  could  be  found 
at  Freshwater  Bay,  in  Bonavista  Bay,  which  is  separated 
from  the  lake  by  a  level  tract  only  nine  miles  in  length. 

MR.  Murray's  report. 

Mr.  Murray  reports  as  follows  of  this  region :  "  Except 
"where  partially  denuded  by  fire,  the  whole  valley  of  the  river, 
the  shores  of  the  lake,  and  the  banks  of  the  tributaries,  are 


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all  densely  clad  by  forest,  among  the  most  conspicuous  trees 
of  which  are  pines,  to  all  external  appearance  of  the  finest  de- 
scription. Upon  the  South-west  Arm,  and  at  various  parts  of 
the  lake,  grovos  of  pine  may  be  seen  where  the  average 
girth  of  the  trees  is  not  much,  if  anything,  less  than  nine 
feet,  and  where  many  individual  trees  will  reach  to  11,  12, 
and  even  14  feet.  On  about  one  acre  of  surface  I  measured 
15  or  20  trees  the  diameters  of  which  varied  from  two  and  a 
half  to  four  and  a  half  feet ;  and  these,  moreover,  were 
straight,  tall,  and  sound,  with  stems  running  up  symmetrically 
for  upwards  of  50  feet  without  knot  or  branch."  He  esti- 
mated that  there  was  here  "  an  area  of  not  less  than  500 
square  miles  worthy  of  being  laid  out  as  timber  limits,  where 
an  immense  timber  trade  might  be  carried  on  successfully. 
.  .  "  Were  the  tracts  surrounding  the  head-waters  of  the 
Gambo,  and  the  south-west  branch  to  bo  taken  into  account, 
I  have  little  doubt  the  area  would  bo  extended  to  1,000 
square  miles.  .  .  .  The  establishment  of  the  lumber  trade  in 
these  regions  would  only  be  a  preliminary  movement  towards 
the  ultimate  permanent  settlement  of  the  land."  The  soil 
over  an  enormous  area  is  rich  and  fertile,  the  surface  level 
or  gently  undulating.  The  country  is  capable  of  raising  all 
or  most  of  the  cereal  crops  in  ample  abundance. 


MR.    HOWLEY's   report   OF   GANDER   FORESTS. 

Mr.  Howley  says,  in  his  report  on  the  same  region: 
"  From  careful  examination  of  the  forests  at  many  different 
points,  and  particularly  as  regards  the  limits  of  available  pine, 
I  feel  myself  in  a  position  to  furnish  the  following  estimate  of 
the  area  supporting  that  timber,  with  tolerable  confidence  :  — 

Sq.  Miles. 

Area  of  pine  lands  on  the  lower  valley  of  the  Gander  River,  and 

north  side  of  the  lake 200 

Valley  of  the  Main  and  South-west  Rivers  above  the  lake       .         .  300 

Country  along  the  south  side  of  the  lake  and  across  to  Fresh-water 

Bay 200 

Valley  of  the  Gambo  and  Triton  River,  with  their  tributaries         .  150 

Total 860 


NEWFOUNDLAND   RESOURCES. 


71 


"I  conceive  it  [jrobablc  that  still  further  investigation  may 
bring  the  total  area  up  to  1,000  miles.  Most,  if  not  all,  the 
pino  here  referred  to  is  of  the  white  variety,  Piniis  strobus, 
probably  the  most  valual)lo  species  for  the  manufacture  of 
lumber."  Fires  have  swept  over  many  portions  of  this 
district,  "  but  the  pine,  though  scorched,  does  not  appear 
otherwise  to  be  much  injured  so  long  as  it  remains  standing. 
I  have  examined  hundreds  of  trees  which,  though  stript  of 
their  leaves  and  bark,  and  bleached  hard  and  white  by  long 
exposure,  seem  nevertheless  to  be  in  perfectly  sound  condi- 
tion. The  fact  of  its  being  so  sound  and  thoroughly  seasoned, 
occasioning  considerable  loss  of  weight,  and  rendering  it  so 
much  more  buoyant  in  the  water,  would,  it  appeared  to  me, 
greatly  counterbalance  any  other  defects  it  may  have  sus- 
tained." 


MR.    HURRAYS    SUGGESTIONS. 

In  Mr.  Murray's  report  for  1874  he  strongly  urges  the 
propriety  of  opening  up  this  great  region  for  lumbering  pur- 
poses. He  says  :  "  As  nearly  the  whole  area  lying  between 
the  eastern  arm  of  the>  lake  and  the  main  river,  and  a  great 
extent  of  country  on  the  north-west  side  ^  of  the  latter,  as 
well  as  on  the  south  side  of  the  lake,  and  for  some  distance 
up  the  south-west  branch,  is  thickly  grown  over  by  magnificent 
pine  and  spruce,  I  cannot  conceive  any  better  possil)lo  plan 
for  gradually  improving  the  surfiice  of  the  country,  and  pre- 
paring it  for  regular  settlement,  than  bj'  encouraging  the 
introduction  of  capital  to  be  applied  towards  utilizing  these 
splendid  forests  of  timber.  Nor  is  the  value  of  timber  the 
solo  consideration,  for  it  will,  most  assuredly,  be  found  that 
the  opening  up  and  settlement  of  the  country  will  primarily 
be  brought  about  by  the  operations  of  the  lumberer,  legiti- 
mately or  otherwise  ;  and  many  of  those  employed  in  clearing 
the  forest  will  be  found  among  the  very  first  permanent  occu- 
piers of  the  soil.  With  the  timber  trade,  cattle,  horses, 
and  sheep  will  speedily  be  introduced ;  grain,  grass,  and 
roots  will  be  cultivated ;  while  labor  will  be  in  such  demand 


72 


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that  there  need  not  bo  an  unemployed  hund  throughout  the 
year,  from  one  end  to  the  other  of  the  colony,  and  beggary 
ought  to  utterly  disappear  from  the  land." 


THE  EXPLOITS   AS   A    LUMBERING    REGION. 

Though  not  nearly  equal  to  the  Gander  country  ii.  forest 
wealth,  the  valley  of  the  Exploits  contains  a  largo  quantity 
of  pine  and  other  valuable  timber.  Near  the  mouth  of  the 
river  a  steam  saw-mill  has  been  successfully  at  work  for 
many  years,  and  no  difficulty  is  experienced  in  procuring  a 
large  sui)ply  of  material.  In  his  report  for  1871  Mr.  Murray 
says :  "  The  forests  of  the  Exploits  Valley  consist  of  pine, 
spruce,  balsam,  fir,  tamarack,  white  birch,  and  poplar.  On 
the  lower  reaches  of  the  river  and  tributaries,  below  the 
Grand  Falls,  pine  is  or  has  been  abundant,  some  of  it  appar- 
ently of  good  quality  for  conversion  into  ordinary  lumber ; 
but  there  are  extensive  ar3as,  especially  near  the  Great 
Rattling  Brook  where  the  timber  has  been  completely  swept 
away  by  fire.  Moreover,  on  the  more  accessible  parts  of  the 
region,  many  of  the  most  valuable  trees  have  disappeared, 
having  been  cullqd  out  long  since  to  supply  logs  to  a  saw- 
mill which  was  formerly  in  operation  near  the  outlet  of 
Peter's  Brook  into  Peter's  Arm.  .  .  .  Between  the  Grand 
Falls  and  Badger  Brook,  at  many  parts,  on  both  sides  of  the 
main  river,  pine  was  observed  to  flourish  luxuriantly,  much 
of  which  appeared  to  bo  of  excellent  quality,  being  often  of 
fair  dimensions,  straight  and  tall.  These  reaches  also  display 
a  fine  growth  of  other  varieties  of  timber,  and  at  some  parts, 
especially  about  the  forks  of  the  Sandy  Brook,  white  birch 
often  attains  a  very  large  size ;  this  being  one  of  the  few 
localities  where  the  Indians  procure  bark  capable  of  being 
used  for  the  construction  of  canoes." 

"  Above  the  junction  of  Badger  Brook  the  surface  of  the 
country  is  exceedingly  level  over  a  wide  area  on  both  sides 
of  the  river,  up  to  the  Grand  Falls,  and  is  densely  covered  by 
forest  of  the  usual  varieties ;  but  the  trees  at  this  part  are 


NEWFOUNDLAND  RESOURCES. 


78 


mostly  small,  being  tho  immature  successors  of  the  ancient 
forests,  entirely  destroyed  many  years  ago  by  fire." 

FROM   THE   FALLS   TO    RED   INDIAN   LAKE. 

Of  the  country  between  tho  Upper  Falls  and  tho  Red 
Indian  Lako  Mr.  Murray  says :  "  The  whole  region  is  still 
densely  wooded,  and  good  pine  and  other  timber  are  not  infre- 
quent, being  remnants  of  tho  old  forest  which  had  escaped 
the  groat  conflagration.  On  the  flats  near  tho  northern  mar- 
gin of  the  Red  Indian  Lako,  particularly  at  tho  outlets  of  the 
larger  brooks,  pine  and  spruco  trees  of  largo  size,  straight 
and  tall,  wore  frequently  observed  ;  but  back  from  tho  lake 
the  timber  is  of  stunted  growth  and  of  little  value,  scattered 
in  detached  woods  over  the  surface  of  tho  great  marshes  and 
barrens.  Tho  southern  side  of  tlie  lake  is  densely  wooded 
to  the  water's  edge ;  and  the  country  inland  appears  to  bo  all 
forest  for  many  miles  back,  broken  only  by  occasional 
marshes  or  swamps  which  occupy  the  lower  grounds  be- 
tween tho  ridges.  The  Indians  who  have  visited  tho  Victoria 
Lake  state  that  good  pine  and  spruce  arc  abundant  on  the 
lower  reaches  of  tho  brook." 

In  other  reports  Mr.  Murray  says :  "  From  tho  Victoria 
River  to  the  head  of  the  Red  Indian  Lake  the  country  is 
well  timbered  throughout.  .  .  .  Tho  southern  side  of  the 
Exploits  presents  an  unbroken  dense  forest,  in  a  series  of 
gentle  undulations,  as  far  as  tho  eye  can  reach.  .  .  .  With 
a  splendid  river,  abundant  timber,  and  a  fertile  soil,  this 
region  is  m  rked  out  for  a  prosperous  settlement." 


THE   IIUMBER   VALLEY   TIMBER. 

The  valley  of  the  Humber  is  another  district  richly- 
wooded,  where  lumbering  operations  have  been  carried  on  for 
many  years  on  an  extensive  scale.  A  report  of  the  Surveyor 
General,  made  between  thirty  and  forty  years  ago,  stated 
that  "  the  hardwood  found  hero  consists  chiefly  of  the  dif- 
ferent descriptions  of  birch,  the  yellow,  called  witch-hazel, 
within  a  quarter  of  a  mile  of  the  shore,  was  found  measur- 


J 


74  HAND-BOOK  OP 

ing,  at  six  feet  from  the  ground,  from  five  to  (^even  feet  in 
oircumfercnce  ;  and  softwood,  as  pine,  spruce,  birch,  etc., 
arp  to  be  had  with  as  little  difiiculty,  the  whole  consisting  of 
tt  size  sufficiently  lai'ge  for  any  kind  of  building,  and  in 
quantities  abundant  enough  to  become  an  article  of  export." 

MR.  Murray's  feport. 

Mr.  Murray's  report  fur  18G6  says:  "Independently  of 
its  agricultural  capabilities,  this  fine  tract  of  country  seems 
to  present  inducements  for  other  branches  of  industrj'^  and 
enterprise  in  the  quality  of  its  timber,  much  of  which  is 
excellent.  Tamarack,  or  juniper,  is  not  rare  ;  yellow-birch 
of  large  dimensions  is  abundant ;  white  pine  and  spruce 
grow  in  the  greatest  profusion,  frequently  of  a  size  and 
quality  not  greatly  inferior,  if  not  equal,  to  the  best  that  is 
now  largely  brought  into  market  in  Gaspe,  and  other  parts 
of  the  lower  province  of  Canada." 

MR.    MCLEODS   REPORT   OF  THE   HUMBER. 

Since  Mr.  Murray's  survey  was  made,  in  ISGO,  the  ex- 
tensive luniberin<;  oiierations  on  the  Humber  have  very 
considerably  reduced  the  quantity  of  good  timber  in  the 
neighborhood  of  the  river.  In  1875  Mr.  McLeod,  a  civil 
engineer,  was  sent  to  the  ^  nber  for  tiio  purpose  of  running 
a  mcridianal  base  lino  from  a  fixed  point,  for  the  purpose  of 
locating  timber  limits  both  here  and  in  the  Gander  country. 
In  rejrard  to  the  amount  of  timber  still  available  for  lumber- 
ing  purposes  on  the  Humber,  Mr.  McLeod's  report  says : 
"  To  give  a  rou2;h  estimate  of  the  extent  of  fine  timbered 
land  from  the  mou^h  of  the  Humber  to  the  Grand  Pond 
Brook,  I  should  say  that  in  all  there  is  not  less  than  20 
square  miles,  which  would  on  the  average,  yield  five  trees  of 
from  1,000  to  2,500  superficial  feet  each  to  the  acre.  This 
would  give  3,200  trees  to  the  square  mile,  which,  at  an 
average  board  measure  of  say  1,500  feet,  gives,  per  square 
mile,  4,800,000  superficial  feet.  This  multiplied  by  20 
gives  90,000,000  feet  as  the  quantity  of  standing  pine  yet 


NEWFOUNDLAND  RESOURCES. 


75 


on  the  Humbcr.  There  may  not  be  half  this  and  there 
possibly  is  much  more.  To  pretend  to  give  an  accurate  esti- 
mate, no  matter  how  true  the  data  upon  which  it  may  be 
based,  for  any  one  limited  area,  would  be  quite  absurd,  so 
wide  are  the  limits  of  quantity,  as  well  as  quality.  And, 
where  «the  question  of  quality  arises,  I  may  say  that  there 
our  only  available  information  is  from  those  by  whom  it  is 
wrought,  and  from  its  relative  standing  in  the  market.  The 
verdict  of  the  former  I  need  not  record ;  that  of  the  latter 
seems  to  say  that  the  timber  of  this  district  is  rather  above 
the  ordinary  market  run." 


TON-TIMBERING. 

"  I  ci^nnot  end  this  discussion  of  the  timber  of  the  Ilumber 
without  expressing  my  entire  disapproval  of  the  system  of 
'  ton-timbering '  as  carried  on  here.  Not  one-fourth  of  the 
timber  cut  down  is  removed ;  that  is,  three-fourths,  more  or 
less,  of  the  timber  felled  is  allowed  to  rot  on  the  ground, 
which,  if  taken  to  the  mill,  would  yield  excellent  'sawn  stuff.' 
Further,  only  the  very  best  trees  are  available  for  'ton- 
timbering  ; '  so  that  the  district  over  which  th'.se  operations 
extend  is,  although  not  all  thorougJihj  cut  out,  rendered 
uninviting  to  the  mill-men,  or,  as  they  are  called,  '  loggers.'  " 

These  are  the  principal  lumbering  regions,  but,  as  already 
stated,  the  valleys  around  St.  George's  Bay  and  the  Codroy 
valleys  contain  a  fine  growth  of  mixed  forest  timber,  — pine, 
spruce,  birch  and  fir.  On  most  of  the  smaller  streams,  both 
on  the  western  and  eastern  coasts,  there  are  also  groves  of 
pine  and  various  other  trees,  while  the  same  holds  good 
regarding  the  heads  of  many  of  the  bays.  It  is  thus  evident 
that,  in  regard  to  forest  wealth,  Newfoundland  holds  no  des- 
picable place. 

"  It  is  very  remarkable,"  says  Mr.  Howley,  "  that  no  species 
of  cedar,  beech,  elm,  or  oak,  have  been  met  with  in  this 
country,  although  they  are  all  common  on  the  continent,  and 
some  of  these  varieties  are  known  even  to  exist  at  Cape 
Breton." 


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CHAPTER  VI. 

CLIMATE. 

Taken  as  a  whole,  the  climate  of  the  island  is  more  tem- 
perate, and  more  favorable  to  health  than  that  of  the  neigh- 
boring continent.  The  fierce  summer  heats  of  Canada  and 
of  tlic  United  States  are  unknown,  as  is  also  the  intense  cold 
of  their  winters.  It  is  but  rarely,  and  that  only  for  a  few 
hours,  that  the  thermometer  sinks  below  zero  in  winter; 
while  the  summer  range  rarely  exceeds  80  degrees,  and  for 
the  most  part  docs  not  rise  much  above  70.  Like  all  insular 
climates  that  of  Newfoundland  is  variable  and  subject  to 
sudden  chanircs.  The  Arctic  current  exerts  au  unfavorable 
influence  along  the  eastern  coast;  but,  ay  a  compensation,  it 
brings  with  it  the  enormous  wealth  of  cod  and  seals  which 
has  rendered  the  fisheries  the  most  productive  in  the  world. 
The  Gulf  Stream,  which  creates  the  fogs,  modifies  the  cold ; 
and  if,  at  times,  it  darkens  the  skies,  it  paints  the  cheeks  of 
the  people  with  the  rosy  hues  of  health.  The  salubrity  of 
the  climate  is  evinced  by  the  robust,  healthy  appearance 
of  the  people.  Their  clothing  in  winter  does  not  require  to 
be  mucli  warmer  than  that  worn  in  Britain  at  the  same  season 
of  the  year.  Open  fireplaces  are  sufficient  to  warm  the 
houses,  and  free  exercise  in  the  open  air  is  attainable  at  all 
seasons. 

IOG8. 

The  fogs,  of  which  so  much  has  been  written,  arc,  for  the 
most  part,  confined  to  the  southern  and  south-eastern  sea- 
board, and  seldom  penetrate  far  inland.  They  arc  generated 
on  the  Banks  by  the  meeting  of  the  warm  waters  of  the 
Gulf  Stream  with  the  cold  Arctic  current,  and  are  wafted 
shoreward  by  southerly  winds.  This  occurs  only  at  certain 
seasons  of  the  year,  when  the  winds  blow  in  that  direction ; 
but,  during  three-fourths  of  the  year,  the  westerly  winds 


_ 


NEWFOUNDLAND  RESOURCES. 


77 


cany  the  vapors  across  the  Atlantic,  and  the  British  Isles 
get  the  benefit  of  their  moisture.  In  his  journey  across  the 
island,  in  1822,  the  traveller  Cormack  experienced  but  four 
foggy  and  drizzly  days  during  two  months ;  forty-one  were 
bright,  and  only  eight  rainy  days. 

Mr.  Howley,  whose  experience  of  the  climate  of  the  inte- 
rior extends  over  fifteen  years,  says :  "  I  have  spent,  more 
than  once,  four  months  in  the  interior  without  experiencing 
a  genuine  foggy  day  until  reaching  within  twenty  miles  of 
the  southern  side  of  the  island.  During  the  entire  months  of 
July  and  August  the  weather  in  the  interior  was  delightful, 
while  fogs  prevailed  at  the  same  time  along  the  southern 

coast." 

delany's  observations. 

Observations  taken  at  St.  John's,  by  Mr.  E.  M.  J. 
Delapy,  C.E.,  from  1857  to  1864,  inclusive,  showed  that  the 
average  mean  temperature  for  those  eight  years  was  41.2 
dejyrecs ;  the  averasfe  maximum  hciajht  of  the  thermometer 
83  degrees  ;  the  average  minimum  height  of  the  thermometer 
7  degrees ;  average  number  of  days  on  which  rain  fell  during 
those  eight  years  was  105.  The  highest  range  of  the  ther- 
mometer was  on  July  27,  1857,  when  it  reached  89  degrees ; 
the  lowest  was  on  February  11,  when  it  marked  2  degrees. 


comparative  climates. 
The  following  tables  show  the  comparative   climates  of 
the  places  named :  — 

Mean  Temperature  for  1874. 

St.  George's  Bay,  Newfoundland 
Windsor,  Nova  Scotia        .... 

Toronto    ....... 

Winnipeg,  Manitoba ..... 

Total  Days  of  Rain  in  Four  Months. 

St.  George's  Bay 

Toronto    ....... 

Winnipeg      *    - 

Truro,  N.S.      .         .         .         .         .         . 


Dcgrcofl. 

43. S 
42.7 
44.3 
30.8 


34 
47 
52 
68 


1^ 


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From  these  tables  it  appears  that  the  average  temperatures 
for  the  year  of  Bay  St.  George  and  Toronto  are  almost  equal, 
that  of  Manitoba  being  13  degrees  below  Newfoundland. 

The  number  of  months  in  which  the  thermometer  did 
not  reach  the  freezing-point  was  in  Newfoundland  four,  in 
Toronto  four,  in  MarJtoba  three,  and  in  Nova  Scotia  four. 
This  fact  goes  to  prove  that  the  danger  of  vegetation  being 
injured  by  frost  is  less  in  Newfoundland  than  in  Manitoba, 
and  no  greater  than  in  any  part  of  Canada. 


NEWFOUNDLAND  RESOURCES. 


79 


CHAPTER  Vn. 

MINERAL  RESOURCES. 
DISCOVERY  OF   MINES. 

It  was  not  till  a  comparatively  recent  date  that  Newfound- 
land was  known  to  contain  mineral  treasures  of  immense 
value.  For  many  years  the  late  Mr.  C.  F.  Bennett  was  the 
pioneer  of  mining  enterprise,  and  he  stood  in  a  minority  of 
one  as  a  believer  in  the  existence  of  minerals  in  the  island. 
To  Mr.  Smith  McKay  belongs  the  honor  of  discovering  the 
first  considerable  deposit  of  copper  ore.  His  discovery  was 
made  in  1857,  at  a  small  fishing-hamlet  called  Tilt  Cove,  on 
the  north  shore  of  Notre  Dame  Bay.  In  18G4  mining 
operations  were  commenced  here  under  the  joint  direction 
of  Messrs.  Bennett  &  McKay.  These  went  on,  with  more 
or  less  activity,  and  with  such  marked  success  that,  in  1879, 
it  was  found  that  Tilt  Cove  mine  had  yielded  close  on 
50,000  tons  of  copper  ore,  valued  at  $1,572,154,  and  nickel 
ore  worth  $32,740.  In  1875  another  copper  mine  was 
opened  at  Betts  Cove,  about  a  dozen  miles  south  of  Tilt 
Cove.  Under  Mr.  Francis  Ellershausen  operations  were 
carried  on  here  with  extraordinary  activity ;  and  in  1879  the 
quantity  of  ore  exported  from  Betts  Cove  and  two  other 
localities  amounted  to  123,556  tons,  valued  at  $2,982,836. 
Even  this  success  was  eclipsed  by  the  discovery  in  1878  of 
a  much  larger  deposit  of  copper  ore  at  Little  Bay,  which  is 
believed  to  be  one  of  the  most  valuable  copper  mines  in  the 
world.  It  has  been  worked  up  to  the  present  date  with 
success ;  but  the  low  price  of  Copper  ore  in  the  market  has 
caused  operations  to  languish  somewhat  during  the  last 
two  years.  The  depression,  however,  will  only  be  tem- 
porary ;  and,  with  improved  prices,  mining  operations  will 
probably  be  resumed  on  a  large  scale.  The  returns  of  the 
ore  exported  from  Little  Bay  will  be  found  at  the  close  of 


80 


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this  chapter.  Up  to  1879  the  total  quantity  of  ores  exported 
from  all  the  mines  had  reached  £1,000,000  sterling  in 
value.  This  placed  Newfoundland  sixth  among  the  copper- 
producing  countries  of  the  world.  ^ 

PROGRESS    OF   MINING    INDUSTRY. 

The  success  of  these  first  enterprises  led  to  the  outbreak 
of  a  "  copper-fever,"  and  a  rush  to  secure  mineral  lands  took 
place.  Speculation  ran  high  ;  and  along  the  shores  of  Notre 
Dame  Bay,  an  extent  of  country  nearly  one  hundred  miles  in 
length,  and  five  or  six  in  breadth,  was  speedily  covered  by 
mining  licenses  and  grants.  Numerous  discoveries  of  copper 
ore  were  made  at  various  places,  and  the  metalliferous  char- 
acter of  the  whole  region  was  established  beyond  a  doubt. 
The  speculators,  however,  for  the  most  part,  were  not  persons 
possessed  of  sufficient  capital  to  carry  on  the  expensive 
operations  required  in  working  a  copper  mine.  Most  of  the 
claims,  therefore,  remain  undeveloped,  and  now  await  the 
arrival  of  skilful  and  enterprising  mining  capitalists,  who 
alone  can  carry  out  such  extensive  undertakings  and  render 
them  remunerative.  The  "copper-fever"  has  long  since 
subsided ;  and  now  copper-mining  will  be  prosecuted  as  a 
steady  industry  by  skilled  capitalists ;  and  gradually,  as  the 
country  is  opened  up,  it  will  be  extended,  and  will  furnish 
employment  to  a  large  number  of  the  population. 


SERPENTINE    DEVELOPMENT. 

The  geological  survey  shows  that  the  area  of  the  serpen- 
tine rocks,  in  which  the  ore  is  found,  exceeds  5,000  square 
miles.  This  may  be  regarded  at  present  as  the  known  ex- 
tent of  the  mineral  lands  of  the  colony.  Over  this  immense 
area  copper  and  other  ores  may  be  searched  for  with  a 
probability  of  success.  It  is  not,  however,  in  the  serpentine 
that  the  ore  is  found,  but  immediately  associated  with  a 
chloritic  slate,  very  ferruginous,  which  occurs  both  above  and 
below  the  serpentine.  Where  the  serpentine  appears  there 
is  always  a  possibility  that   this  ore-bcaring-chloritic   slate 


NEWFOUNDLAND  RESOURCES. 


81 


may  be  found,  so  that  the  serpentine  becomes  a  guide  to 
prospectors.  Where  no  serpentine  shows  itself  it  is  vain  to 
look  for  copper  ore.  In  one  of  his  reports  Mr.  Murray 
says:  — 

HOW  THE    ORE   OCCURS. 

"The  ores  of  copper,  usually  sulphurets,  are  found  dis- 
seminated, or  in  layers,  with  iron  pyrites  in  the  chloritio 
slates  and  dioritic  beds ;  but  the  more  solid  and  valuable 
ores  are  concentrated  in  the  folds  and  dislocations,  particu- 
larly in  the  magncsian  portion,  by  which  the  formation  has 
been  affected.  The  ores  are  also  of  frequent  occurrence  in 
white  quartz  veins  near  the  same  horizon.  The  surface  rocks 
where  these  deposits  exist  are  usually  of  a  reddish,  rusty- 
brown  color,  scored  by  remarkable  minute  reticulations, 
which  weather  in  relief,  giving  a  marked  and  peculiar  aspect, 
which  once  seen  is  easily  recognized,  and  may  serve  as  a 
trustworthy  guide  to  explorers  in  making  preliminary  exami- 
nation of  the  ground." 


LAUZON   DIVISION   OF   THE    QUEBEC   GROUP. 

The  largo  development  of  serpentine  rocks  in  the  island 
must,  therefore,  be  regarded  as  a  fact  of  primary  importance. 
These  serpentines  belong  to  what,  in  Canadian  geology,  is 
termed  the  Quebec  Group  of  the  Lower  Silurian  Series. 
"This  group,"  says  Sir  William  Logan,  "may  conveniently 
be  separated  into  three  divisions,  the  middle  one  of  which 
has  proved  rich  in  metalliferous  deposits  in  its  course  from 
the  Southern  Atlantic  States  of  the  American  Union  to 
Canada,  and  through  Eastern  Canada  to  Gasjle."  This 
middle  division,  called  the  Lauzon  division,  is  the  one  which 
is  developed  in  Newfoundland,  and  in  which  all  the  copper 
mines  are  situated.  "  The  Lauzon  division,"  says  Sir  Wil- 
liam Logan,  "  was  at  first  united  with  the  Levis  division,  but 
has  been  separated  from  it  on  account  of  its  great  minera- 
logical  importance  and  distinctness,  it  being  the  metalliferous 
zone  of  the  Lower  Silurian  in  North  America.  It  is  rich  in 
copper  ores,  chiefly  as  interstratified  cupriferous  slates,  and 
is  accompanied  by  silver,  gold,  nickel,  and  chromium  ores." 


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EXTENT  OP  SERPENTINE   DEVELOPMENT. 

It  is  a  most  important  question,  therefore,  in  connection 
with  the  future  of  the  island,  "  What  is  the  extent  of  these 
ore-bearing  serpentine  rocks  in  the  island  ?  "  The  geological 
map  which  Mr.  Murray  has  published  enables  us  to  answer 
that  question  with  some  degree  of  accuracy. 

Commencing  at  Cape  Norman,  the  extreme  northern  point 
of  the  island,  we  find  serpentine  developments  of  considerable 
extent  from  Pistolet  Bay  to  Hare  Bay,  while  another  spread 
extends  along  the  coast  to  Canada  Bay.  At  Cape  St.  John 
begins  the  great  serpentine  development  in  which  are  situ- 
ated all  the  existing  mines.  The  whole  shores  of  the  gi'eat 
Bay  of  Notre  Dame,  together  with  its  clusters  of  islands,  are 
of  the  serpentine  formation.  This  belt  may  be  estimated  at 
a  length  of  40  miles,  the  breadth  being  yet  undetermined, 
without  taking  the  islands  into  account.  The  greatest  spread 
of  the  serpentine  rocks  is  in  the  Gander  country,  where,  as 
yet,  they  are  unexplored.  Round  the  shores  of  Bonne  Bay 
and  Bay  of  Islands  there  are  also  large  developments  of  ser- 
pentine. Indeed,  there  are  strong  reasons  for  believing  that 
the  serpentine  formation  runs  across  the  whole  islaiyl ;  and  as 
the  interior  is  yet  to  a  considerable  extent  unexplored,  it 
may  come  to  the  surface  in  many  places  far  inland. 

MR.    HOWLEY'S   ESTIMATE   OF   SERPENTINE. 

Mr.  James  P.  Howley,  Assistant  Geologist,  gives  the  fol- 
lowing trustworthy  estimate  of  the  areas  of  the  Serpentine 
Series  in  Newfoundland  :  — 

,  Bq.  Miles. 

Between  Hare  Bay  and  Pistolet  Bay         .         .         .        230 
North  from  Bonne  Bay  ......        350 

South  from  Hare  Bay     .         .         .         .         .         .175 

South  from  Bonne  Bay   .         .         .         .         .         .150 

South  from  Bay  of  Islands 182 

Surrounding  Notre  Dame  Bay  ....  1,400 
Gander  Lake  and  River  Couiitry  .  ...  2  -310 
Bay  d'Est  River  Country 300 


Total 


5,097 


NEWFOUNDLAND  RESOURCES. 


83 


MR.  Murray's  opiniox  of  the  mining  region. 

After  a  careful  survey  of  the  mining  region,  Mr.  Murray 
thus  speaks  in  his  report  for  1875  :  "  I  feel  bound  to  state 
that  the  experience  of  the  late  investigation  convinces  me  more 
than  ever  that  many  of  the  northern  parts  of  this  island,  and 
the  great  Bay  of  Notre  Dame  in  particular,  are  destined  to 
develop  into  great  mining  centres,  should  capital  and  skilled 
labor  be  brought  to  bear  in  that  direction.  The  frequent 
repetition  of  the  mineral-bearing  strata,  associated  with  ser- 
pentine, chloritic  slates  and  diorites,  maintaining  a  nearly 
uniform  character  throughout  their  distribution,  and  in- 
variably exhibiting  metalliferous  indications,  all  seem  to 
warrant  the  expression  of  such  an  opinion.  .  .  .  In  addi- 
tion to  the  ores  of  copper,  ores  of  nickel,  magnetic,  chromic, 
and  specular  iron,  lead  and  sulphur  ores  have  been  found  in 
abundance,  and  traces  of  the  precious  metals  have  occasion- 
ally been  found,  always  near  the  same  horizon.  The  usual 
form  of  the  nickel  ores  is  that  of  arsenical  or  copper  nickel ; 
but  also  occurs  as  millerite,  or  nickel  pyrites  ;  and  as  cloan- 
thite,  or  an  allied  species,  which  is  of  a  steel-gray  or  pale 
ruby-red  color." 


OTHER  ORES  BESIDES  COPPER. 

Copper  is  by  no  means  the  only  ore  found  in  the  country. 
In  the  lower  geological  formations,  which  are  largely  repre- 
sented, the  existence  of  ores  of  various  kinds,  and  of  other 
valuable  economic  materials,  has  been  ascertained.  Magnetic 
iron  ore  has  been  found,  though  not  yet  in  large  masses,  in 
the  Laurentian ;  the  presence  of  the  precious  metals  is  indi- 
cated in  the  Cambrian ;  while  lead  ore  has  been  found  in 
workable  quantities  in  the  Huronian  and  Louver  Silurian.  Coal 
has  been  found  in  pretty  extensive  beds  in  the  carboniferous. 
Thus,  while  the  great  beds  of  serpentine  hold  the  copper 
treasures,  present  indications  warrant  the  belief  that  the 
Huronian  rocks  contain  the  precious  metals.  Extensive  and 
valuable  deposits  of  lead  ore  have  been  found.     The  whole 


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island,  therefore,  may  bo  fairly  regarded  03  more  or  leas 
metalliferous,  while  the  west  coast,  as  wo  shall  seo  presently, 
contains  coal  areas  of  much  promise. 


GOLD. 


AURIFEROUS   QUARTZ. 


Mr.  Murray,  in  his  reports,  has  repeatedly  expressed  his 
belief  that  the  equivalents  of  the  gold-bearing  rocks  of 
Nova  Scotia  arc  developed  in  Newfoundland.  Mr.  Selwyn, 
Director  of  the  Geological  Survey  of  Canada,  is  of  opinion 
that  the  auriferous  rocks  of  Nova  Scotia  are  the  representa- 
tives of  the  Cambrian  and  lowest  members  of  the  Silurian 
system.  It  was  not  till  1880  that  any  discovery  of  aurifer- 
ous quartz  was  made.  In  that  year  certain  discoveries  were 
made  near  Brigus,  Conception  Bay,  which  induced  Mr.  Mur- 
ray to  visit  the  locality.  lie  tested  one  spot  with  the  fol- 
lowing results,  as  described  in  his  report :  *'  By  the  lirst 
blast  from  two  to  three  cubic  feet  of  rock  were  removed,  all 
of  which  was  carefully  broken  up,  washed,  and  examined ; 
which  operation  finally  resulted  in  the  display  of  10  or  12 
distinct  "sights"  of  gold.  In  one  fragment,  about  five 
pounds'  weight,  largely  charged  with  dark-green  chlorite,  tho 
gold  shows  itself  in  threo  places  distinctly,  while  many 
small  specks  are  perceptible  by  means  of  a  good  lens.  The 
fracture  of  a  fragment  of  milky  white  and  translucent  quartz, 
which  was  broken  off  the  large  piece,  revealed  two  patches 
of  gold,  both  of  which  together,  if  removed  from  the  ma- 
trix, would  probably  produce  about  one  pennyweight  of  tho 
metal ;  while  several  small  masses  or  nuggets  were  found 
adhering  to  the  small  broken  fragments  of  quartz  at  the  bot- 
tom of  the  pail  in  which  the  rock  was  washed,  the  largest  of 
which  contained  about  10  or  12  grains  of  gold.  .  .  . 
That  a  large  area  of  country,  in  the  regions  referred  to,  is 
auriferous  there  can  scarcely  be  a  doubt,  although  nothing 
short  of  actual  mining  and  practical  experience  can  possibly 
prove  what  the  value  of  the  produce  may  be,  or  whether  the 


ai 
la 


NEWFOUNDLAND  RESOURCES. 


85 


prospects  of  obtaining  a  rcrauncrativo  return  for  the  nccos- 
8ary  outlay  arc  favorable,  or  otherwise."  His  report  con- 
cludes in  the  following  words  :  "  The  indications  of  gold  in 
this  country,  then,  arc  certainly  sufficiently  favorable  to  merit 
a  fair  trial.  And  there  are  good  reasons  to  hope  and  expect 
that  ample  capital  applied  to  skilled  and  judicious  labor  may 
bo  found  remunerative  to  future  adventurers ;  while  a  new 
industry  will  bo  added  to  give  employment  to  the  laboring 
population  of  the  island,  and  possibly  bring  this  despised 
and  but  little-known  colony  into  more  prominence  and  con- 
sideration abroad  than  it  hitherto  has  enjoyed." 

CONFIRMATIONS   OF   MR.    MURRAY'S   REPORT. 

It  is  satisfactory  to  know  that  Mr.  Murray's  anticipations 
regarding  the  auriferous  quartz  at  Brigus  have  been  con- 
firmed. Samples  of  the  quartz  have  been  submitted  to 
skilled  analysts,  and  have  been  found  to  yield  from  four 
dwts.  to  thirteen  dwts.  of  gold  per  ton.  An  average  of 
eight  dwts.  per  ton  would  give  a  handsome  profit.  Eminent 
mining  engineers  have  examined  some  of  the  localities 
and  recommended  the  prosecution  of  the  enterprise.  The 
quantit}'^  of  quartz  is  very  kirge,  and  nmch  of  it  is  favor- 
ably situated  for  mining  operations.  It  is  to  be  hoped  there- 
fore that  the  work  will  be  vigorously  prosecuted  hero. 

LEAD. 


IS 


»g 


LEAD  ORE. 

Whatever  the  future  may  disclose  regarding  gold  there  is 
no  doubt  that  the  island  is  rich  in  lead  ore.  This  ore  is  not 
confined  to  any  one  formation,  the  presence  of  that  metal 
having  been  observed  as  low  as  the  Laurentian  and  as  high 
as  the  coal  measures.  Lead  was  first  discovered  at  La 
Manchc,  near  the  north-eastern  extremity  of  Placentia  Bay. 
The  vein  which  was  worked  here  is  from  three  to  six  feet, 
and  is  chiefly  of  calc  spar.  The  ore  is  distributed  irregu- 
larly through  the  whole  thickness  of  the  vein,  and  sometimes 


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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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86 


HAND-BOOK  OP 


in  pockets.  Very  favorable  opinions  have  been  expressed 
by  liigh  authorities  regarding  this  mine,  but  its  working  has 
not  been  successful,  and  for  many  years  all  operations  have 
been  suspended. 

PORT-A-PORT. 

In  1875  a  rich  deposit  of  lead  ore  was  found  at  Port-a- 
Port,  on  the  western  shore,  and  was  worked  for  a  short 
time  with  promising  results ;  but  being  on  the  so-called 
"  French  shore  "  the  French  protested  against  it  as  a  viola- 
tion of  their  treaty  rights,  and  the  imperial  authorities 
ordered  the  work  to  be  stopped. 

Magnetic  iron  ore  has  been  found  at  Cairn  Mountain,  in 
St.  George's  Bay.  Mr.  Murray  anticipates,  from  various 
indications,  that  its  existence  will  be  discovered  along  the 
range  of  the  Laurentian  hills.  A  considerable  band  of 
magnetic  iron  ore  has  also  been  found  in  the  Tilt  Cove 
mine. 

GYPSUM  AND  MARBLE. 
GYPSUM   DEPOSITS. 

Gypsum  is  found  in  immense  developments.  Mr.  Murray 
says:  "This  mineral  [gypsum]  is,  perhaps,  distributed  more 
profusely  and  in  greater  volume  in  the  carboniferous  country 
of  the  first  area  than  in  any  part  of  the  American  continent 
of  the  same  extent."  There  are,  as  we  have  seen  already, 
enormous  developments  of  gypsum  at  Codroy  and  Bay  St. 
George.  In  the  latter  the  quality  is,  in  many  places,  of  the 
finest  description  and  of  milky  whiteness.  Marbles,  also,  of 
almost  every  shade  of  color,  have  been  produced  from  various 
parts  of  the  coast,  on  both  the  eastern  and  western  shores ; 
while  granite  of  the  finest  quality,  building-stones,  whet- 
stones, and  limestones  are  in  ample  profusion. 


ROOFING-SLATE. 


Another  material  which  the  island  can  supply  in  abun- 
dance is  roofing-slate.     The  only  slate  quarries  yet  opened 


NEWFOUNDLAND  RESOURCES. 


87 


are  in  Smith's  Sound  and  Random  Island,  Trinity  Bay.  The 
development  here  is  very  extensive  if  duly  worked ;  and  the 
quality  is  declared  by  the  highest  authority  to  be  equal  to 
the  best  Welsh  slate.  Mr.  Murray  says  of  them  :  "Judging 
by  the  quality  of  the  specimens  which  were  brought  from 
Smith's  Sound,  and  the  thickness  of  the  strata  attributed  to 
their  place  in  the  formation,  together  with  their  proximity  to 
the  sea,  these  slates,  when  fully  developed,  can  hardly  fail 
to  prove  of  very  considerable  commercial  importance." 


COAL. 


SIR  W.    LOGAN  ON  COAL. 


In  1866  Sir  William  Logan,  the  eminent  geologist  of 
Canada,  in  a  letter  addressed  to  the  Attorney-General  of  New- 
foundland in  regard  to  the  geological  survey  of  the  island  which 
had  commenced  two  years  before,  wrote  as  follows :  "  The 
nearest  known  coal  deposits  to  the  island  of  Newfoundland  are 
the  beds  worked  at  Sydney,  on  the  island  of  Cape  Breton ; 
and  it  is  not  unreasonable  to  suppose  it  probable  that  there 
will  be  a  general  analogy  in  the  character  of  the  measures  on 
the  opposite  sides  of  the  water  dividing  them.  At  Sydney, 
between  the  base  of  the  coal  measures  and  the  workable 
seams,  there  is  a  thickness  of  barren  strata  of  between 
3,000  and  4,000  feet ;  and  if  the  same  conditions  exist  in 
Newfoundland  it  will  depend  upon  the  attitude  of  the  strata 
whether  we  may  expect  the  occurrence  of  coal  beds  there  to 
become  available  to  commerce.  Mr.  Murray  observed  a 
regular  coal  seam  of  six  inches  in  thickness  ;  but  this  would 
not  be  workable.  Mr.  Jukes  has  reported  one  of  three  feet ; 
but  at  Sydney  there  are  four  workable  seams,  measuring 
altogether  upwards  of  15  feet  in  a  thickness  of  3,000  feet,  that 
at  the  bottom  being  three  feet ;  and  no  time  should  be  lost  in 
determining  such  facts  as  will  make  it  known  whether  these 
seams  exist,  or  may  be  reasonably  searched  for  by  capitalists^  -, 
in  the  carboniferous  areas  of  Newfoundland,"     ,',v<«l   -tit  Mt-;:. 


nAND-BOOE  OF 


JUEE8   COAL  SEAM. 

The  discovery  of  coal  by  Mr.  Jukes,  referred  to  in  the 
foregoing  extract,  was  made  more  than  40  years  ago.  The 
scam  he  found  crops  out  on  the  right  hank  of  the  Middle 
Barachois  Brook,  south  side  of  St.  George's  Bay,  about 
eight  miles  from  the  coast.  It  is  three  feet  in  thickness, 
being  canncl  coal  of  excellent  quality.  Mr.  Jukes  says  in 
his  report :  "  There  is  no  doubt  of  there  being  more  beds  in 
this  vicinity,  and  of  the  probability  of  all  the  centre  of  this 
low  district  being  occupied  by  a  productive  coal-field.  Up 
the  Codroy  River,  in  a  similar  parallel,  beds  equally  valu- 
able arc  reported  to  exist."  From  fair  data  Mr.  Jukes 
calculated  the  extent  of  this  small  portion  of  the  coal  basin 
of  Newfoundland  at  about  25  miles  wide  by  10  miles  in 
length. 

MR.   MURRAY  ON  THE  OOAL   AREA   OP  ST.    GEORGE's   BAY. 

Mr.  Murray  has  laid  down  the  position  of  an  outcrop  upon 
his  map,  in  order  to  show  wheio  workable  seams  of  coal 
were  likely  to  occur  in  St.  George's  Bay ;  and  ho  calculates 
that  the  plan  of  one  seam,  there  drawn  as  three  feet  in 
thickness,  and  occupying  an  area  of  38  square  miles,  con- 
tains 54,720,000  chaldrons  of  coal,  or  1,425,000  chaldrons 
per  mile.  A  very  considerable  portion  of  this  he  believes 
may  be  found  within  workable  depth.  And  this  is  but  one 
of  the  many  seams  that  may  yet  be  found  in  the  area  be- 
tween Cape  Anguille  and  the  head  of  St.  George's  Bay. 

CARBONIFEROUS   AREAS. 

The  whole  carboniferous  area  of  the  west  coast  occupies 
three  distinct  areas,  which  Mr.  Murray  designates  the  "  St. 
George's  Trough,  the  Port-a-Port  Trough,  and  the  inland 
Trough  of  Huraber  River  and  Grand  Lake.  .  .  .  The  lat- 
ter Trough,"  he  says,  "  in  its  western  outcrop,  strikes  inland 
from  the  lower  end  of  Deer  Lake  towards  Adie's  Pond,  and 
then  alon^i;  the  left  bank  of  the  river  towards  the  western 


_ 


NEWFOUNDLAND  RESOURCES.  89 

shores  of  White  Bay.  The  eastern  outcrop  runs  along  the 
edgo  of  the  upper  end  of  Deer  Lake  towards  the  Grand 
Lake.  If  the  workable  beds  of  Cape  xircton  exist  at  all  in 
the  central  trough  of  Newfoundland,  the  country  where  they 
may  be  expected  to  be  found  will  be  the  region  between  the 
Humber  River  and  Sandy  Lake,  where  there  h  ample  room 
to  brinir  in  a  suflSicicnt  accumulation  of  thickness."  Mr, 
Jukes  gave  it  as  his  o[)inion  that  "  it  is  highly  probable  that 
coal  may  bo  found  over  the  whole  or  greater  part  of  it." 

MR.    HOWLEY'S   coal   SEAM. 

Li  187.3  another  seam  of  coal  was  discovered  by  Mr.  J.  P. 
Howley  on  Robinson's  Brook,  about  nine  miles  in  a  straight 
lino  from  its  mouth.  "The  thickness  of  this  coal  seam,"  ho 
says,  "judging  from  the  dip  of  the  rocks  on  either  side, 
and  the  surface  which  was  uncovered,  viz.,  about  six  feet, 
appears  to  be  about  four  feet.  The  mineral  seemed  to  be 
homogeneous  throughout,  without  any  shaly  divisions ;  it  is 
very  bituminous,  burns  with  a  clear  flame  like  canncl  coal, 
leaving  a  residue  of  white  ash.  The  scam  rests  on  an  argil- 
laceous rock  with  Stigmaria,  but  the  roof  was  not  distinctly 
seen.  Ascending  the  stream  above  the  coal  crop  we  find  a 
repetition  of  the  strata  seen  on  the  west  side  of  the  synclinal, 
among  the  hiijher  of  which  are  beds  of  carbonaceous  shale 
with  Stigmaria. 

"  The  outcrop  of  coal  on  Robinson's  Brook  bears  from  the 
uppermost  outcrop  seen  on  the  Middle  Barachois  N.  30°  E., 
distant  one  mile  seventy  chains ;  which,  being  nearly  on 
the  strike  of  the  rocks,  it  may  bo  fairly  assumed  that  the 
seam  on  the  former  is  either  the  continuation  of  that  on  the 
latter,  or  else  another  very  nearly  on  the  same  horizon." 


BORIXG   RECOMMENDED. 


In  his  report  for  1873  Mr.  Murray  remarks  on  the  few 
natural  outcrops  of  coal  which  have  yet  been  found  in  this 
region,  but  adds  that  this  is  not  surprising  "  seeing  that, 
except  in  the  courses  of  the  rivers,  the  whole  region  is 


90  r  :        HAND-BOOK  OP 

wrapped  up  in  a  thick  mantle  of  superfic:al  drift,  which  is 
itself  grown  over  with  a  dense  forest  or  covered  with  vast 
bog  or  marsh.  Even  in  the  river  sections,  as  I  have  already 
shown  to  be  the  case  in  Robinson's  Brook,  the  rocks  are 
often  so  thickly  covered  over  with  boulders  and  other  dvbria 
as  to  be  all  but  totally  concealed  for  miles  together."  For 
this  reason  he  recommends  the  adoption  of  "a  systematic 
plan  of  boring  in  sectional  lines  from  the  shorey  of  St. 
George's  Bay  to  the  mountains,  in  each  carboniferous  area." 
This  he  considers  should  precede  any  direct  attempt  to  open 
up  mines. 

Robinson's  bkook  coal  seam. 

In  1884,  while  engaged  in  again  surveying  this  portion  of 
St.  George's  Bay,  Mr.  Howley  took  the  opportunity  of 
examining  more  carefully  the  coal  seams  previously  dis- 
covered. On  Robinson's  Brook  he  uncovered  the  outcrop 
for  several  yards,  and  obtained  a  good  section.  In  his 
report  he  says :  "  The  scam,  including  under  and  upper 
clays,  measures  on  the  outcrop  six  feet  across ;  but  the  angle 
of  inclination  which  it  makes  with  the  horizon  reduces  the 
actual  vertical  thickness  to  about  five  feet.  At  least  four 
feet  of  this  thickness  is  good  coal.  It  is  rather  harder  than 
ordinary  Sydney;  very  bituminous  caking  coal,  emitting 
much  gas  while  under  combustion,  and  burns  freely  when 
once  ignited.  The  dip  of  this  bed  is  down-stream,  or 
towards  the  north-west,  and  it  appears  to  lie  in  a  narrow 
synclinal  trough,  in  which  case  it  should  come  again  to  the 
surface  from  a  mile  to  a  mile  and  a  half  "  .'thcr  west,  with 
an  opposite  inclination.  Where,  however,  the  latter  outcrop 
might  bo  expected,  the  rocks  are  totally  concealed  by  dibrU 
for  some  distance. 

"The  Jukes  seam,  on  the  Little  Barachois  River  (named 
after  Mr.  J.  B.  Jukes,  who  discovered  it  in  1840),  was  also 
visited.  It  is  just  two  miles  distant  up-stream  from  our  base 
line,  while  the  side  line  separating  townships  VII.  and  VIII. 
crosses  the  river  30  chains  below,  and  passes  on  the  south 


NEWFOUNDLAND  RESOURCES. 


I 


side  within  10  chains  of  the  outcrops.  In  1873  Mr. 
Murray  carefully  examined  and  measured  this  seam,  the 
result  of  which  is  given  in  the  report  for  that  year,  as 
follows :  — 


Coal 1  ft.  3  in. 

Coal  in  thin  layers,  alternating  with  thin 
layers  of  argillaceous  and  carbonaceous 
shale  (Jukes  seam)       .         .         .         .     2  ft.  3  in. 


Total 


.     3  ft.  6  in. 


RELATIVE  POSITION  OF  COAL   SEAMS. 

"  A  second  seam,  one  foot  five  inches  in  thickness,  occurs 
in  the  same  section,  about  120  feet  higher  up.  It  was  the 
opinion  of  Mr.  Murray  at  the  time  that  the  two  latter  seams 
were  a  continuation  of  the  Robinson's  Brook  seam,  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  trough,  being  hero  split  in  two  by  a 
wedge  of  sandstone,  as  is  frequently  the  case  in  other  coal- 
fields. The  past  season's  observations,  however,  seem  to 
point  to  a  diflferent  conclusion,  and  I  have  reason  to  believe 
they  are  entirely  distinct  seams,  —  that  on  Robinson's  Brook 
being  at  a  lower  horizon,  —  in  which  case  it  might  be  expected 
to  cross  the  Little  Barachois  River,  a  half  mile  or  so  down 
the  stream  from  the  outcrop  of  Jukes  seam.  Should  such 
prove  to  be  the  case,,  there  would  then  be  an  aggregate  thick- 
ness of  not  less  than  eight  feet  of  coal  in  the  three  seams. 
The  value  or  otherwise  of  these  deposits  will  entirely  depend 
on  the  superficial  area  they  occupy,  and  this  can  only  be 
satisfactorily  determined  by  the  application  of  the  boring- 
rod.  The  boring-rod  judiciously  applied  to  this  region 
would  efiect  the  double  purpose  of  determining  the  extent 
of  the  coal  seams  already  known  to  exist,  and  be,  perhaps, 
the  means  of  revealing  others  whose  surface  outcrops  might 
never  be  discovered."  - 


92  HAND-BOOK  OF 

ESTIMATE  OP  EXTENT. 

"  As  an  instance  of  the  importance  of  this  coal  area  to  the 
future  of  Newfoundland,  the  following  estimate  will  give 
some  idea.  A  seam  of  coal  one  foot  thick  would  give  per 
square  acre  1,500  tons;  per  square  mile,  960,000  tons. 
Wo  have  only  to  multiply  this  amount  by  eight  (the  aggre- 
gate Ihickncss  hero),  when  the  result  per  square  mile  would 
give  7,080,000  tons.  Should  the  seams  bo  persistent  in  thick- 
ness, and  the  boring  prove  them  to  occupy  an  area  of  say 
five  square  miles,  we  may  then  confidently  rely  upon  no  less 
than  38,400,000  tons  of  available  coal  in  this  district.  As  a 
further  illustration  of  its  importance,  1  may  hero  state  that 
the  above  estimate  equals  the  whole  annual  output  from  all 
the  Cape  Breton  mines,  taking  the  average  between  the  years 
1858  and  1870  for  HI  years  to  come." 

BORINGS   FOR  COAL   ON   GRAND   LAKE. 

In  1879  and  1880  borings  for  coal  were  carried  out,  under 
the  direction  of  Mr.  Murray,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Grand 
Lake.  Hero  tho  indications  of  coal  were  so  marked  and  so 
frequent  that  it  was  considered  desirable  to  test  this  region 
with  (he  boring-rod. 

In  tho  valley  of  Coal  Brook,  which  falls  into  Grand  Lake, 
thin  irregular  scams  and  nests  of  coal  are  observed  in  several 
places.  Jukes  found  a  seam  of  coal  six  inches  thick  on 
Coal  Brook,  and  it  has  been  re-discovered  since  his  visit. 
Small  fra!?nients  of  coal  occur  on  the  bed  of  the  brook,  and 
are  scattered  sparsely  along  portions  of  the  shore  of  Grand 
Lake.  All  these  seemed  to  indicate  the  existence  of  coal 
seams.  In  his  report  for  18(55  Mr.  Murray  said ;  "If  the 
workable  beds  of  Cape  Breton  are  represented  at  all  in  New- 
foundland, the  country  where  they  may  bo  expected  to  be 
found  will  be  in  the  region  between  the  Humber  River  (west 
branch)  and  Sandy  Pond,  where  there  is  ample  room  to  bring 
a  suflBcient  accumulation  of  thickness ;  although  the  character 
of  the  country  at  that  part  is  sorely  against  surface  cxamina- 


-^\ 


NEWFOUNDLAND  RESOURCES. 

tion,  it  being  in  a  great  measure  covered  over  .vith  dense 
vegetation  or  marsh." 

The  services  of  an  experienced  mineral  borer  having  been 
secured,  and  proper  apparatus  provided,  operations  were 
commenced  near  Grand  Lake  in  the  summer  of  1879.  The 
fiist  bore-hole  was  sunk  to  the  depth  of  250  feet,  near  the 
left  bank  of  the  river,  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  above  its 
junction  with  Grand  Lake. 

The  second  bore-hole  was  sunk  on  the  right  bank  of  the 
river,  nearly  two  miles  from  the  outlet,  but  only  to  the  depth 
of  42  feet.  In  the  first  bore  some  thin  seams  of  coal  were 
cut,  but  they  were  too  slight  to  be  of  any  economic  impor- 
tance.    In  the  second  bore  no  coal  was  found. 

8EC0ND  BORINGS. 

Operations  were  renewed  the  following  year,  as  the  experi- 
ments of  1879  were  not  decisive  in  regard  to  the  existence 
of  workable  seams  of  coal.  Three  borings  were  made  in  the 
same  quarter,  and  the  v^rk  was  prosecuted  Trom  July  till 
October,  but  without  any  successful  results.  The  depth  of 
the  borings  respectively  was  21,  18,  and  11  fathoms. 

"  The  inference  to  be  drawn  from  these  borings,"  says  Mr. 
Murray's  report,  "  together  with  the  known  attitude  of  the 
lower  beds  of  the  formation,  is  that  the  strata  over  the  whole 
area,  between  the  two  branches  of  the  river,  are,  on  the 
whole,  exceedingly  flat,  or  afiiected  only  by  undulations  so 
gentle  as  to  leave  but  little  room  to  bring  in  any  great 
amount  of  superior  measures."  In  consequence,  boring  op- 
enitions  were  discontinued,  as  it  was  inferred  that  the  areas 
which  might  contain  workable  seams  of  coal  must  bo  very 
limited  in  this  region. 

MR.   MURRAY  ON  THE  FORMATIONS. 

"All  the  evidences,"  says  Mr.  Murray,  "so  far,  point  to 
the  existence  of  a  narrow,  elliptical -formed  trough,  contain- 
ing seams  of  coal  of  from  one  to  eighteen  inches  in  thick- 
ness, bounded  upon  the  west  side  by  the  east  branch  of  the 


94 


.in  . 


HAND-BOOK  OP 


nvor,  and  on  the  east  by  the  range  of  hills.  Near  the  hill 
range  the  measures  are  disturbed,  and  are  suddenly  cut  off 
by  a  fault,  while,  toward  the  river,  and  beyond  it,  they  are 
affected  only  by  aseriesof  wave-like  folds,  in  the  depressions 
of  which  alone  the  higher  measures  of  the  formation  need  be 
expected." 


! 


A 


^\ 


NEWFOUNDLAND  &ES0URCE8. 


05 


CHAPTER  Vm.    .  . 

THE   CROWN   LANDS   ACT. 


„..->\ 


The  law  which  regulates  the  sale  or  leasing  of  crown 
lands,  for  agricultural,  lumbering,  and  mining  purposes,  is 
of  the  most  liberal  character;  and  well  calculated  to  promote 
the  settlement  of  the  country  and  the  development  of  its 
natural  resources. 

ACTS  OF   1884   AND   1885. 

The  Crown  Lands  acts  of  1884  and  1885  (a  copy  of 
which  may  bo  obtained  by  application  to  the  office  of  the 
Surveyor-General)  amend  all  former  land  acts,  and  con- 
solidate all  former  statutes  relating  to  crown  lands  into  one 
elaborate  and  compendious  enactment. 

TOWNSHIP  SURVEYS. 

These  acts  first  provide  for  the  laying  off  of  crown  lands 
in  townships  containing  3G  sections  of  one  mile  square  each. 
Each  section  is  to  be  divided  into  quarter  sections  of  160 
acres.  Provision  is  also  made  for  grants  of  a  half-quarter 
section,  80  acres,  and  of  a  quarter-quarter  section,  or  40 
acres. 

The  12th,  15th,  16th,  and  17th  sections  of  the  act  regu- 
late the  ordinary  purchase  and  sale  of  lands. 

PURCHASE  OP  LOTS. 

The  12th  section  provides  for  the  purchase  of  lots  at  an 
upset  price,  to  be  in  no  case  less  than  30  cents  per  acre, 
the  grants  being  subject  to  certain  conditions,  such  as  the 
clearance  and  cultivation,  within  five  years,  of  a  proportion 
equal  to  ten  acres  in  every  hundred  acres  comprised  in  the 
grant. 


96 


HAND-BOOK  OF 


LICENSES  OP  OCCUPATION. 

The  15th  section  provides  for  the  issue  of  licenses  of  occu- 
pation of  crown  lunds  on  payment  of  a  fee  of  $5.00  for 
each  IGO  acres,  and  for  not  more  than  G,400  acres,  subject 
to  the  condition  that  the  licensee  shall,  within  two  years, 
settle  upon  the  land  one  family  for  each  100  acres,  and  for  a 
period  of  live  years  cause  to  be  cleared  at  least  two  acres 
per  year  for  every  100  acres  so  licensed,  and  continue  the 
same  under  cultivation,  and  continue  the  same  families 
thereon,  or  others  in  lieu  thereof,  for  a  period  of  10  years 
from  the  expiration  of  the  said  live  years ;  upon  the  perform- 
ance of  which  conditions  the  licensee  shall  be  entitled  to  a 
grant  in  fee  of  the  said  land. 

LICENSES   ENTITLING  TO  GRANTS. 

The  IGth  section  provides  for  licenses  which  shall  eventu- 
ally entitle  the  holder  to  a  grant  of  5,000  acres,  upon  terras 
to  be  imposed  by  the  Governor  in  Council,  which  conditions 
shall  in  all  cases  include  that  the  holder  of  the  license  shall 
within  two  years  from  the  date  of  the  license  clear  and  have 
ready  for  crop  at  least  1  per  cent,  of  the  area  comprised 
in  the  license;  within  three  years,  2  per  cent.;  within 
four  3^ears,  4  per  cent. ;  within  five  years,  7  per  cent. ; 
within  six  years,  10  per  cent.  ;  within  seven  years,  13  per 
cent. ;  within  eight  years,  IC  per  cent.  ;  witnin  nine  years, 
20  per  cent. ;  and  within  ten  years,  25  per  cent. ;  and  shall 
settle  upon  the  hmd  at  least  one  family  for  every  320  acres. 


FIFTY  acres'  LICENSES. 

The  17th  section  provides  for  the  issue  of  licenses  of  occu- 
pation for  quantities  not  exceeding  50  acres,  entitling  to  a 
grant  in  fee  persons  who  shall  continuously  occupy  for  live 
years,  and  shall  have  cultivated  two  acres. 


NEWFOUNDLAND  RESOUBCES.  97 


•      WATEB-POWER    LEASES. 

'  Then  thoro  arc  provisions  iov  leasing  the  water-power  of 
Inkcs  and  rivers,  gunrdod  with  conditions  for  preventing 
the  water  being  reduced  below  certain  levels,  or  being  ren- 
dered noxious  or  deleterious. 

FISH-BREEDING. 

In  the  19th  section  it  is  enacted  that,  for  encouraging  the 
breeding  of  fishy  i\io  right  to  use  ponds,  lakes,  and  rivers 
may  bo  leased  by  the  Government,  together  with  such  quan- 
tity of  land  adjoining  as  may  be  necessary  for  such  puri)oses. 

Sections  24  to  41  (inclusive)  provide  for  Homestead- 
Rights.  Any  head  of  a  family  or  male  of  the  ago  of  eighteen 
may,  by  paying  a  fee  of  $10,  obtain  a  location  ticket  for 
any  quantity  not  exceeding  IGO  acres,  for  the  purpose  of 
securing  a  homejtead  right.  To  secure  a  grant  in  fee  for 
such  homestead,  the  holder  of  the  location  ticket  must  com- 
mence clearing  within  six  months  after  its  date  ;  must  build 
A  house  of  certain  dimensions,  and  clear  and  cultivate  not 
less  than  three  acres  within  two  years,  six  acres  within  three 
years,  and  reside  continuously  upon  the  land  for  three  years. 
These  conditions  being  complied  with,  he  is  entitled  to  a 
grant  in  fee  with  homestead  rights,  and  can  obtain  a  license  > 

to  occupy  an  adjoining  IGO  acres,  or  less,  of  crown  lands, 
for  which  he  will  obtain  a  grant  in  fee  at  the  expiration  of 
three  years  nt  the  price  of  30  cents  per  acre.  ;,i 

IMMIGRANTS  IN  COMMUNITIES. 

Provisions  are  also  made  for  the  settlement  of  immigrants 
in  communities,  and  of  homestead  settlers  in  groups  of  not 
less  than  20  families,  should  such  desire  to  settle  together  in 
hamlets  or  villages.     In  such  cases  the  Governor  in  Counoit  \ 

may  at  discixstion  vary  the  requirements  as  to  residence, 
but  not  as  to  cultivation  of  each  separate  quarter  seeticHi  as  ^ 

a  homestead.  \\ 


w 


:?5i::   ;  HAyD-^pOK  Of   ; ^  i  n 


TIMBER  AND  TIMDEU  LANDS. 

Sections  50  to  58  (inclusive)  rogulato  tho  leasing  of  tim- 
ber lands,  subject  to  such  roseryations  as  are  necessary  for 
tho  purposes  of  tho  fisheries.     '    *    •       ■>  *   '    ''     '     '  '      '* 


»<!>■  • 


/  rrii 


LICENSES  TO   CUT  TIMBER. 

Licenses  to  cut  timber  upon  any  forest  tracts  may 
be  issued  for  any  period  not  exceeding  21  years,  sub- 
ject to  tho  payment  of  a  l)onu9  per  square  mile,  varying 
according  to  the  situation  and  value  of  the  limit,  and  also  of 
an  annual  ground-rent  of  $2.00  per  squuro  mile,  and  a 
royalty  at  the  rate  of  50  cents  per  1 ,000  feet  board  measure 
on  tho  tree  cut  down.  For  tho  other  conditions  attached  t» 
timber  licenses  tho  act  itself  must  be  consulted. 


•'•-  f*i 


MINERAL  LANDS   '    ' 
SEARCH    FOR   MINERALS.  —  FREE   RIGHT. 

With  regard  to  mineral  lands,  the  Act  of  1884  (amended, 
in  1885)  provides  that  it  shall  bo  lawful  for  all  persons  to 
search  and  prospect  for  minerals  upon  all  lands  in  the  colony 
without  first  obtaining  a  license  to  search  therein.  To  this 
regulation,  however,  gold  is  an  exception,  and  to  search  for 
it  a  license  must  first  be  obtained. 


MINING   LEASES. 

In  case  a  person  shall  discover  a  vein,  lode,  or  deposit  of 
mineral,  and  desire  to  obtain  a  lease,  he  must  mark  the  loca- 
tion with  posts,  in  a  prcscril)ed  manner,  to  an  extent  not 
exceeding  one  square  mile.  Then  ho  shall  give  notice  to 
the  Surveyor-General,  in  writing,  of  his  intention  of  apply- 
ing for  a  lease,  and  also  a  description  of  the  location.  On 
paymcpt  of  a  fee  of  $50  this  notice  is  to  bo  duly  recorded  in 
tho  office  of  the  Surveyor-General,  and  will  give  a  priority  of 
claim  over  any  other  applicant  for  the  same  land.  Within  a 
year  from  the  date  of  putting  down  the  postjj  the  discoverer 
is  then  to  apply  for  a  lease,  having  firvt  caused  an  accurate 
survey  of  the  ground  to  be  made  and  filed  in  the  Office  ,o£ 


NEWFOUNDLAND  RESOURCES. 


99 


tho  Surveyor-General.  Such  application  being  mudo  en- 
titles the  applicunt  to  a  lease  of  tlio  mines  unci  minerals  con- 
tuincd  in  tho  location,  for  a  term  of  five  years,  together  with 
50  acres  of  unoccupied  surface  land,  subject  to  tho  condition 
of  expending  on  tho  working  of  such  mines  and  minerals 
$800  per  annum  for  the  first  four  years,  and  tho  fifth  year 
tho  sum  of  $2,800 ;  failure  to  do  so  entailing  forfeiture  of 
lease. 

GRANTS   IN   FEE. 

At  any  time  within  tho  period  of  five  years  a  grant  in  fee 
of  the  mining  location  can  be  obtained  upon  proof  being 
given  to  tho  Governor  in  Council  that  tho  sum  of  $0,000  has 
boon  expended  on  tlio  working  of  the  mines  and  minerals. 


GOLD. 
LICENSES  OF  SEARCH. 

The  G5th  section  provides  that  licenses  to  search  for  gold 
over  an  area  of  half  a  square  milo  for  a  period  of  one  year 
may  bo  obtained  on  payment  of  a  fee  of  $25,  which  license 
shall  bo  renewable  tor  another  year  for  a  fee  of  $50. 

OOLD-WORKINO. 

• 

Leases  to  mine  and  work  gold  over  an  area  of  one-fjuartcr 
of  a  square  milo  for  a  period  of  21  years  can  bo  issued  to 
tho  bolder  of  a  license  to  search  on  payment  of  a  foe  of  $50, 
subject  to  tho  payment  of  a  royalty  of  three  per  cent,  on 
the  amount  of  gold  mined.  If  tho  sum  of  $500  per  annum 
be  not  expended  on  the  working  of  such  gold  mines,  during 
tho  period  of  21  years,  tho  lease  shall  be  forfeited. 

SnEEP-RAISINO. 

In  1884  an  act  was  passed  for  the  encouragement  of 
flheep-raising  by  which  it  is  made  competent  for  three-fourths 
of  tho  electors  resident  within  the  boundaries  set  forth  in 
their  petition  to  apply  to  the  Governor  in  Council  for  a 
proclamation  prohibiting  tho  keeping  of  dogs  within  the 
described  urea. 


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i 


APPENDICES. 


IP 

!i 


i 


r  :  ■•    ,    r 


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f   •  /.     ■'% 


.7  •'.?':   T-fA 


,SiA.-r'-.ir«^'  •-      i      /  I 


■;  vw< 


APPEISTDIX  I  » 


I 


Memoranda  showing^  the  Quantities  and  Yalae  of  Copper 
and  Nickel  Ores  Exported  from  the  Island  of  Ne^rfound- 
land  in  the  undermentioned  Years. < 


1  I 


Tmts. 


1854) 
to  [ 

1864  j 

1875) 
to  [ 

1879  J 


1869 
1870 
1871 
1872 
1873 
1874 
1876 
1870 
1877 
1878 
1879 


1876 
187C 
1877 
1878 
1878 
1879 


Ports  cleared  from. 


St.  John's. 


Total. 


Union  Mine,  Tilt  Goto 


41 
(I 
It 
4< 
<< 
ti 
ti 
l( 
<l 


II 
tl 
II 
II 
ii 
II 
II 
<l 
<l 


Total.. 

Betts  Goto 
II 

II 

II 

Regulus..* 

(I 

Total.. 


Copper. 


Tana. 
627i 

544i 


1,172 


5,938 
4,218 
1,924 
4,774 
5,414 
4,846 
4,838 
6,4G4 
6,889 
4,4E0 
1,964 


49,719 


6,280 
18,670 
42,063 
31,370 
750 
2d,42U 


128,656j^ 


Nickel, 


Tona. 


30 

88 

7 

8 

233 


17 
28 


411 


Dollara. 


22,980 


19,179 


42,159 


190,010 

134,970 

01,568 

152,768 

189,490 

104,304 

179,006 

232,704 

194,004 

97,960 

85,352 


1,672,154 


232,860 
456,481 
1,093,768 
690,140 
84,600 
475,687 


2,082,836 


Bemarka,  etc. 


Chiefly  ftom  Burooian 
rock. 


Partly  from  opening* 
la  Notre  Damo  Bay. 


Vaino  of  Nickel  ore. 


Dollara. 
7,200 
8,800 
700 
2,560 
9,320 

•  •  •  « 

1,860 
2.800 


32,740 

The  orea  returned  fof 
1878-70  were  largely  de- 
rived from  Littio  Uay 
Mine,  and  partly  from 
Colchester,  all  bclong- 
Jns  tu  tho  Uctta  Cova 
UMng  Company. 

Thas,thotuUloftho 
orca  of  Copper  anil 
Nlckol  export  ud  alnco 
1864  amounts  to  |4,. 
620,A80,  or  nearly  £l,. 
000,000  sterling. 


1'; 

I 


I 


104 


APPENDIX. 


APPENDIX    I. -^Continued. 
Additional  Returns  of  Ore  Exported  In  the  Years  named. 


Ymh. 

B«tU  Cove  ML-ie. 

Little  Bay  Mine. 

8.  W. 
Arm 
Mine. 

Hnli'a 

Bay 

Mine. 

Rabbit'a 
Arm 
Mine. 

V«lae. 

One. 

ResnlOB 
Tona. 

Pyritea. 

Ore. 

Reguliis 

Ore. 

Ore. 

Ton». 
70 
130 
40 

Ore. 

1880  .... 

1881  .... 

Tona. 
4,29G 
4,294 
4,38G 
500 
2,650 

Tona. 

Tona. 
16,L^91 
22,G40 
10,111 
I0.64C 
737 

1,471 

Tona. 
87 
0 
7GC 
4CG 
TOG 
414 

Tona. 
251 
235 
4 

Tona. 
"544" 

£  Sterling. 
£9U,SG0 

1882  .... 

159,721 

1883  .... 

93,608 

1884  .... 
1886.... 

2,460 

62,389 
23,249 

1 1 

11,919 

APPENDIX. 


105 


APPENDIX    n. 


I 


Tabic  showing:  the  Amount  of  "Pc/^age  to  be  collected  on 
Letters,  Newspapers,  Book  Packets,  etc..  Posted  in 
Newfoundland,  for  the  following  Countries:  — 

Memorandum  1.  —  No  Letter  or  other  Article  can  be  registered 
to  the  places  (a)  ;  and  to  the  Places  marked  (§)  ouly  letters  can 
be  registered. 

Mebi.  2.  —  No  Rook  Packet  or  Packet  of  Newspapers  addressed 
to  the  places  marked  (f)  must  exceed  2  lbs.  in  weight,  and  the 
weight  of  a  Packet  of  Patterns  for  these  places  is  limited  to  8 
ounces.  A  IJook  Packet  or  Packet  of  Patterns  for  New  South 
Wales  or  Queensland  is  limited  to  3  lbs.  In  all  other  cases  weight 
is  limited  to  5  lbs. 

Mem.  3.  —  There  shall  not  be  admitted  for  conveyance  by  Post, 
outside  the  Colony,  any  Letter  or  other  Packet  which  may  contain 
either  Gold  or  Silver  Money,  Jewels  or  Precious  Articles,  or  any 
other  article  whatever  liable  to  Customs'  duties. 

The  attention  of  Postmasters  and  the  Public  is  particularly 
called  to  this  Rule,  as  such  Letters  or  Packets  will  not  be  for- 
warded. 


Aden  

1  Africa,  West  Coast.  ^ 

j  Ascension > 

Australia j 

Austria  f | 

Azores  t > 

Algeria  § j 


For  a  Letter. 

1 

For  Book  Packet*  and 
Parcels. 

N 

O 

ts 

a  . 

a 

i 

§ 

o 

1 

2 

as 
M 
2 

a 

Is 

1 

•i.S 

>l 

o 

I, 

I. 

u 

§ 

>.  . 

•s 

n 

°l 

o 

8 

8 

u 

o  a 

t-  3 

t^ 

t 

i** 

>.«• 

U 

a 

SO 

i^o 

>M 

a 

< 

H 

u^ 

U 

H 

fa 

■A 

C/j. 

Ctt. 

CIS. 

Cts. 

Cti. 

CIS. 

Cts. 

Cts. 

10 

20 

10 

8 
8 

4 
) 

8 

IG 

IC 

12 

24 

12 

8 
8 

1° 

12 

24 

24 

6 

10 

6 

1 

2 

4 

8 

8 

I 


Cts. 


106 


APPENDIX. 


Postage  HatOS.  — •  Continued. 


Bcyrout  t 

Belgium  t 

Belize  (Honduras)  .... 

Bermuda 

Borneo   

Brazil   

Buenos  Ayres 

Bourbon  (Isle  of )§ . . . . 

Belgrade  t 

Caniida 

Cape  de  Verds  f 

Cap^of  Good  Hope. . . . 

Ceylon 

Canary  Islandsf 

Chili  (a) 

Costa  Itica  (a) 

China 

Constantinople    

Cuba 

Cape  Breton 

Dardanelles  t 

Denmark,  via  Belgium 

Eeuador  (o) 

Egypt 

Falkland  Islands 

Fernando  Po 

France  § 

Germany  t 

Galatz  t 

Galipoli , 

Gtunbia 

Gibrultart 

Gold  Coast , 

Gray  Town  (a) 

Gautemala  (a) 

"Greece  t 

Halifax 

Hayti  (a) 

Ho'lhmlt 

Hong  Kung 


For  a  Letter. 


8 

t! 

1 

si 

< 

Oil. 

Cts. 

6 

10 

8 

IG 

8 

IG 

10 

20 

5 

10 

5 

10 

15 

80 

10 

20 

5 

10 

8 

16 

10 

1:0 

5 

10 

8 

IG 

6 

10 

5 

10 

8 

IG 

6 

10 

10 

20 

6 

10 

5 

10 

10 

20 

5 

10 

10 

20 

5 

10 

,  0 

10 

8 

IG 

5 

10 

10 

20 

Cl8. 


10 
5 
6 

15 

10 
5 

8 
10 
5 
8 
5 


8 
5 

10 

5 


10 
5 

10 

n 

6 

8 

5 

10 


'A 


£ 


Cls. 


}l 


For  Book  Pnckcta  and 
I'ackcts. 


}'' 


a 
a 
O 

I 
H 

a 


Cis. 


2 
4 
4 
2 


1 


a  « 

OS 


Cls. 


§3 


Cls. 


8 

IG 

IG 

8 

4 

IG 

IG 

8 

IG 

8 
8 
4 


IG 
8 

IG 

8 


IG 
8 

IG 

8 

4 

IG 

8 


"o 


C:s. 


8      IG 


8 

IG 

IG 

8 

4 

IG 

IG 
8 

10 

8 
8 
4 

8 

IG 
8 

IG 

8 


IG 
8 

IG 

8 
4 

K 
8 

IG 


•^3 


Cls. 


5 

6 


6 

5 

6 

5 
6 


5 
6 

fi 
6 
6 


6 
5 


6 
6 

S 
6 


APPENDIX. 


107 


Postage  Rates.  —  Continued. 


Italyt 

InJia 

Ionian  Islands  !.••.• \ 

Jassy J 

Labuan  \ 

Liberia / 

Larnica  f 

Madeira! \ 

Malta  t f 

Mauritius  \ 

Mexico  (a) / 

Moldavia  t | 

Mytelenc  (a) j 

Montevideo  (a) 

Natal ) 

New  South  Wales [■ 

New  Zealand j 

New  Brunswick 1 

Nova  Scotia v 

Norway  t j 

Panama "j 

Penang I 

Peru  (a) J 

Poland! 

Porto  IJico  

Portugal  t 

Prince  Edward  Island 

Queensland 

Rhodest \ 

Russia  t J 

Reunion  § 

Sanisoun  f ) 

Salonica  f >• 

Scutari  f j 

St.  Helena  (a) 

St.  Croix ) 

Sierra  Leono  f  .  • [• 

Surinam j 


Fw 

a  Letter. 

f 

.a 

For  Book  Pockets  and 
Parcola. 

8 

s 
t 

'A 

1. 

■a  N 

1 
i 

1 

o 

1 

q 

t3 

1 

S 

O  a 
O  9 

t 

s 

e 

a  oS 

>W 

Cts. 

cts. 

Cts. 

C/5. 

Cts. 

C^s. 

c<«. 

Cts. 

6 

10 

6 

1 

2 

4 

8 

8 

10 

20 

10 

8 

4 

8 

16 

16 

5 

10 

5 

I    1 

2 

4 

8 

8 

10 

20 

10 

I   ^ 

4 

8 

IG 

16 

5 

10 

fi 

1 

2 

4 

8 

8 

u 

10 

5 

}•   1 

2 

4 

8 

8 

10 

20 

10 

}  ^ 

4 

8 

16 

16 

5 

10 

5 

}    1 

2 

4 

8 

8 

10 

20 

10 

8 
8 

4 

8 

16 

16 

12 

24 

12 

3 

■   G 

12 

24 

24 

6 

10 

6 

1 

1 

2 

4 

4 

2 

4 

8 

8 

2 

10 

20 

10 

2 

4 

8 

16 

16 

6 

10 

C 

2 

2 

4 

8 

8 

8 

1(5 

8 

1 

4 

8 

16 

16 

5 

10 

6 

1 

2 

4 

8 

8 

6 

10 

5 

1 

1 

2 

4 

4 

12 

24 

12 

8 

6 

12 

24 

24 

6 

10 

5 

1 

4 

4 

8 

8 

10 

20 

10 

2 

8 

16 

16 

4 

6 

10 

5 

> 

2 

4 

8 

8 

15 

80 

ID 

J 

8 

■     4 

8 

16 

16 

10 

20 

10 

8 

j    4 

8 

16 

16 

Cl$. 


^  i 


?]   !i 


m 


APPENDIX. 


Postage  Rates.-- Concluded. 


ForBookPnckctennd! 
PurceU. 


Sm5Tna  f 

Spnin  t 

Stros  f 

Singapore 

Swollen,  via  Dcnmarkt-  •        > 

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Symf  (a) °        '    •  f 

Sydney,  C.B '' 

St.  rierrc  and  Mlquelon 

lasmania 

Tchcsme  f 

Tenedos  f 

Trebizond  f 

Tulteha  f 

Tunis  t.. 

Turkey  in  Europe 

United  Kingdom 

United  States 

"Varna  f 

Venezuela  (a)  .... 
Victoria,  Australia 
West  Indies,  via  Bermuda - 
Union 


*  Local. 


Foreign. 


.'   ;     Inland  Postage. 

Xc«ers.— 3  cents  per  half  ounce.       '  

BooJcs  and  Parcph  o  «,>.,+„ 

thereof.  ^  "'"^  P^"^  ^""^'^^^  P^"nd,  or  fraction 

liegistration 3   cents       Toff«..„   #      t-  ' 

Commercial  Papers.  —  5  cents  un  tn  o  r. 
weight  u  Boo.  .to.    No  m^^ZnVZZZi:!''''  """ 


APPENDIX. 

APPENDIX  III. 

From  St,  John's  to  Tilt  Cove,  — 317  Miles. 


109 


St.  John's  to  — 

1                            * 

J, 

47 

Old  Perlican. 

•  Si 

;         1 

1 

C8 

21 

Trinity. 

1     '' 

1    i^ 

87 

40 

Ifl 

Catalina. 

1 

Il 

107 

GO 

39 

20  Bonavlsta. 

ll 
\ 

t 

1 

IIG 

G9 

48 

29 

9  King's  Cove. 

148 

101 

80 

Gl 

41 

32 

Greenspond. 

'                                                          "l 

i 

214 

IG7 

14G 

127 

107 

98 

GG 

Fogo. 

1 

232 

185 

1C4 

145 

125 

IIG 

84 

18  Twillingate. 

'     1 

24  J) 

202 

181 

1G2 

142 

133 

101 

35 

17 

Exploits. 

i  1 

284 

237 

21C 

197 

177 

1G8 

I3G 

70 

52 

35 

Little  Bay  Island. 

293 

24  G 

225 

20G 

18G 

177 

145 

79 

Gl 

44 

9 

Little  Bay. 

30G 

259 

238 

219 

199 

190 

158 

92 

74 

57 

22 

13  1 

dipper's  Harbor. 

I 

1 

309 

2G2 

241 

222 

20:^ 

193 

IGl 

95 

77 

GO 

25 

IG 

3  Betts  Cove. 

t 

317 

270 

249  230 

210 

201 

1G9 

103 

85 

G8 

33 

24  1 

1  8  Tilt  Cove. 

! 
1 

1 

Tilt  Co 

vo  to  Battle  Harbor,  —  177  W 

[iles. 

Ij 

Tilt  Cove  to  — 

-I                                                    1  1 

1 

32  Coachman's  Cove. 

!     1 

i              I            .        -I 

82 

50 

1 

Conche. 

1      .'               I . 

118 

8G 

3G!= 

1 
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■;      I  . 

1  ■ 

,        '    1    ■ 

133 

101 

51  1 

5  Griguet. 

1           • 

.  v 

177 

145 

95.' 

»9  44  BMtle  Harbor. 

■■'    ■-'      -:,      ! 

I   : 


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From  St.  John's  to  Carbonear,— 02  Miles  (by  Rail). 


St.  John's  to  — 

15 

Topsail. 

18 

3 

MaDUcls. 

« 

22 

7 

4 

KcUigrcws. 

27 

12 

9 

5 

Seal  Covb. 

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18 

15 

11 

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Holyrood. 

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21 

18 

14 

9 

3    Harbor  Maia. 

89 

24 

21 

17 

12 

G 

3 

t 

Salmon  Cove. 

m 

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25J 

20J 

14J 

Hi 

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BriguC'  Junction. 

57.1 

m 

39J 

35J 

30^ 

^2^ 

21i 

18J 

10 

Harbor  Grace  Junction. 

CG^ 

51J 

m 

44^ 

39J 

33i 

30J 

275 

19 

9 

Broad  Cove. 

74 

GO 

57 

53 

48 

42 

39 

3G 

"27^ 

I7i 

n 

New  Harbor  Road. 

79 

C5 

G2 

58 

53 

47 

44 

41 

32^ 

22^ 

\H 

5 

Tilton. 

84 

70 

G7 

G3 

58 

52 

49 

4G 

37i 

m 

185 

10 

5  Harbor  Grace. 

92 

78 

75 

71 

GG 

GO 

57 

54 

45^ 

355 

265 

18 

13 

8  Carbonear. 

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114 


APPENDIX. 


APPFOT)IX  V. 


Boads,  Railways,  and  Steam  Communication. 

Toe  colony  is  fairly  supplied  with  roads,  to  which  every  year 
additions  are  made.  There  are  at  present  between  700  and  800 
miles  of  i)ostal  roads,  and  1,700  miles  of  district  roads,  besides 
others  laid  out  and  in  process  of  construction.  The  lono-est  line 
of  road  is  from  St.  John's  to  Holyrood,  Salmonier,  Placentia,  and 
St.  Mary's,  a  distance  of  over  100  miles. 

A  line  of  railway  is  at  present  completed,  and  has  been  rimnintr 
for  some  time  between  -St.  John's  and  Harbor  Grace,  a  distance 
of  84  miles.  It  is  projected  to  extend  to  Hall's  Bay,  the  centre  of 
the  mining  district. 

Tiie  Allan  line  of  steamers  leaves  Halifax  on  alternate  Mondays 
for  Liverpool,  calling  at  St.  John's,  and  on  each  alternate  Tuesday 
leaves  Liverpool  for  Halifax,  calling  at  St.  John's.  During  three 
months  of  the  year  these  steamera  run  between  Halifax  and  Liver- 
pool withoiit  ^.-ailing  at  St.  John's,  and  during  this  time  coramuni- 
cation  is  kept  up  fortnightly  by  a  mail  steamer  plying  between  St. 
John's  and  Halifax.  During  the  open  season  excellent  steamers 
ply  between  St.  John's  and  New  York ;  also  between  St.  John's 
and  Montreal,  calling  at  Tictou,  Nova  Scotia,  and  Prince  Edward 
Island.  In  addition  two  lotal  steamers  ply  between  St.  John's 
and  the  settlements,  north  and  south,  carrying  passengei-s,  mails, 
and  goods.  In  the  summer  season  the  steamer  plying  northward 
connects  with  the  Labrador  steamer  at  Battle  Harbor. 


■  •^W  ''Wr  :j^' 


\ 


)\ 


CUSTOBIS^ 

.i:>i      111 


TARIFF, 


ion. 

every  year 
30  ami  800 
ids,  besides 
on2:est  line 
.eenlia,  and 

jen  running 

a  distance 

lie  centre  of 

te  MMidays 

,te  Tuesday 

uring  tliree 

and  Liver- 

coramuni- 

elweeu  St. 

steamers 

St.  John's 

ce  Edward 

St.  John's 

el's,  mails, 

northward 


\Reviscd  according  to  Revenue  ^icf,  ^wss«(?  1880.] 

TABLK    OF    DUTIES.         ,       .      , 

Ale,  porter,  cider,  and  perry,  llie  gallon 

Animals,  viz. : — Calves,  pigs  and  sheep,  each 
Horses,  mares,  i^c,  each 

Apples,  the  barrel    . 

Apples  (dried),  the  pound 

Bacon,  hams,  tongues,  smoked  beef  and  sausages,  the 
cwt 

Beef,  pigs'  heads,  feet  and  hocks  (salted  and  cured), 
the  barrel  of  200  lbs 

Biscuit  and  bread  (not  including  sweet  or  fancy  bis- 
cuit), the  cwt 

Butter,  oleo,  and  other  compounds  lepresenting  but- 
ter, the  cwt. 

Casks  (empty),  second-hand,  under  45  gallons,  each    . 

Casks  (empty),  second-hand,  over  45  gallons,  each 

Cask  slaves,  second-hand,  manufacluied,   capable   of 
making  casks  of  45  gallons,  and  upwards,  per  100 

Cask  staves,  second-hand,  manufactured,  caxtablc  of 
making  casks  under  45  gallons,  per  100    . 

Cheese,  the  cwt 

Chocolate  and  Cocoa,  the  lb 

Cigars,  seven  and  a  half  per  cent,  ad  valorem^  and  theM. 

Coffee,  green,  the  lb 

Colfee,  roasted  or  ground,  the  lb 

Coals,  imported  or  brought  into  the  ports  of  St.  John's, 
Harbor  Grace  and  Carbonear,  the  ton 

Confectionery,  not  including  confectioners'  ornaments, 
the  cwt 

Feathers  and  feather  beds,  the  lb 

Fish,  viz.:  Codfish  and  haddock,  salted,  save  as  here- 
inafter exempt,  the  quintal  of  1 12  lbs. 

Flour,  the  barrel 

Fruit,  dried  (excepting  dried  apples),  currants,  raisins, 
&c ,  the  lb 

Indian  meal,  the  barrel 

Lumber,  one  inch  thick,  and  so  in  proportion  for  any 
greater  thickness,  the  M 

Lumber,  grooved,  tongued  or  planed,  1  inch  thick  and 
so  in  proportion  for  any  greater  thickness,  the  M. 

Molasses,  the  gallon 

Oatmeal,  the  barrel  of  200  lbs 

Oil  (kerosene),  the  gallon 

Peas,  the  barrel 

Pork,  the  barrel  of  200  lbs.    ...  .        . 

Salt,  in  bulk,  the  ton 

Shingles  and  laths,  the  M 


^0  15 
0  30 
2  65 
0  35 
0  01 

2  50 

0  75 

0  18 

1  40 

0  45 

1  45 

5  75 

I  40 
I  75 
0  05 
3  00 
004 
OOG 

0  30 

4  50 
0  06 

1  50 
0  25 

0  2J 
0  20 

1  75 

3  00 
OOG 
0  25 
0  05 

0  20 

1  30 
0  20 
0  50 

Spirits,  viz. : — 

Brandy,  and  other  spirits,  not  herein  defined  or  enu- 
merated, and  not  exceeding  the  strength  of  proof 
by  Sykes'  hydrometer,  and  so  in  proportion  for  any 
greater  strength  than  the  strength  of  proof,  the  gal.    2  00 

AH  other  Spirits  of  greater  strength  than  forty-three 
per  cent,  overproof,  shall  be  deemed  to  be  undefined 
spirits,  and  bo  subject  to  duty  accordingly,  the  gal.    2  00 

Ram,  not  exceeding  the  strength  of  proof  by  Sykes' 
hydrometer,  and  so  in  proportion  for  any  greater 
strength  than  the  strength  of  proof,  the  gallon        .    1  35 

■Gin,  not  exceeding  the  strength  of  proof  by  Sykes' 
hydrometer,  and  so  in  proportion  for  any  greater 
strength  than  the  strength  of  proof,  the  gallon  .        .     1  50 

Whiskey,  not  exceeding  the  strength  of  proof  by 
Sykes'  hydrometer,  and  so  in  proportion  for  any 
greater  strength  than  the  strength  of  proof,  the  gal.    1  80 

Cordials,  shrub  and  other  spirits,  being  sweetened  or 
mixed  so  that  the  degree  of  strength  cannot  be 
ascertained,  the  gallon 0  95 

Sugars,  viz. :  Loaf  and  refined,  the  cwt.        .        .        .  3  50 

Bastard,  the  cwl 2  50 

Unrefined,  the  cwt 2  00 

Tea,  10  per  cent,  ad  valorem  and  the  lb 0  06 

Timber,  including  Lignum  vilie,  the  ton       .        .        .  0  50 
Tobacco,  manufactured,  including  leaf  tobacco,  strip- 
ped or  partly  manufactured,  five  per  cent,  ad  valorem^ 

and  the  lb 0  16 

Tobacco,  leaf  and  stems,  the  lb 0  15 

Tobacco,  stems  for  snufi,  the  cwt 0  00 

Vegetadles,  viz.: — 

Cabbages,  the  100 1  00 

Potatoes,  turnips,  parsnips,  carrots,  beet,  the  bushel    .    0  05 
All  other,  including  onions  (canned  or  preserved  ex- 
cepted) 10  per  cent,  ad  valorem. 
Vinegar,  the  gallon 12i 

Wines,  viz.: — 

Champagne,  the  gallon 2  50 

Port  and  Madeira,  the  gallon 1  38 

Claret,  the  gallon 0  35 

Spanish  Red.  Denia,  Sicilian,  Figueira,  Red  Lisbon  and 

Cape,  LisDon  Common 0  35 

Malaga  and  Montilla,  costing  at  port  of  sb.ipment  80 
cents  a  gallon,  and  any  other  over  that  price,  and 
Maiizanilla  and  Sherry,  12J  per  cent  advalorem^  and 

the  gallon 1  00 

Malaga  and  Montilla,  costing  at  port  of  shipment  under 

80  cents  a  gallon,  the  gallon 0  35 

Hock,  Burgundy  and  Light  Rhenish  Wines,  the  gal.    0  70 
All  other  Wines,  12i  per  cent,  ad  valorem  and  the  gal.    0  90 


■ 


Fresh  meat,  poultry,  eggs,  oxen,  cows  and    bulls,     '' 
tallow,  grease  and  palm  oil,  the  $100       .        .        .    7  50 

Anchors,  chain  cables,  copper  and  composition  metal 
for  ships,  viz. :  bar,  bolt,  sheathing  and  nails;  bread- 
bag,  bnn  or  bagging;  canvas,  sail  cloth  and  tarpaulin 
canvas,  for  ships  use;  cordage,  viz. :  rope,  hemp,  coir 
and  manilla  cables  ;  corks  and  cork-wood,  fishing 
tackle  (except  fishing  tackle  for  anglers,) ;  dories  & 
dories'  oars,  hoop  iron,  iron  of  all  kinds  in  bars, 
bolts,  sheets,  plates  &  pieces  ;  machinery  and  parts 
of  machinery,  including  propellers ;  nails,  wrought; 
oakum,  pitch,  tar,  resm,  and  raw  turpentine  ;  oats, 
oleine  oil,  beef  oil,  neutral,  lard  stock,  cotten  seed 
oil,  oil  of  sesamic,  and  other  oils  used  in  the  man- 
ufacture of  oleomargarine,  or  artificial  butter; 
oranges,  lemons,  grapes,  nuts,  limes  and  olives; 
sheet  tin,  block  tin,  and  solder  ;  worsted  and  wool 
len  yarn  of  ail  kinds,  the  $100        .... 

Bran,  barley,  Indian  corn,  and  rice,  masts  pieces  and 
spars  (not  manufactured),  medicines,  staves  (un- 
dressed), the  $100        

Hay,  leather,  and  cut  nails,  the  $100    .... 

Cabinet  wares,  candles,  carriages,  waggons,  sleighs 
and  harness;  casks,  in  which  dry  goods  are  im- 
ported, when  fit  to  hold  liquid  ;  manufactures  of 
wood  (except  musical  instruments);  staves,  manu- 
factured and  dressed,  the  $100 22  50 

Ready-made  clothing,  viz.:  coats,  jackets,  trowsers, 
waistcoats,  south-westers,  mantles,  dresses,  cloaks 
andsacqnes;  stockings,  shirts  and  drawers  (made 
by  hand  and  not  woven),  the  $100  .  .        .        .  25  00 

■Goods,  wares  and  merchandize,  not  otherwise  enumer- 
ated, described  or  charged  with  duty,  and  not  other- 
wise exempt,  the  $100 17  50 


10  GO 


12  50 
15  00 


TABLE   OF  EXEMPTIONS. 


The  following  articles  imported  into  this  Colony  and  its 
-dependencies  shall  be  exempt  from  payment  of  duty  :  — 

Agricultural  implements   and  machinery,   imported  by 
agricultural  societies  for  the  promotion  of  agriculture. 

Arms,  clothing  and  provisions  for  Her  Majesty's  land  and. 
sea  forces. 

Articles  imported  for  religious  purposes,  not  intended  for 
sale. 

Ai  licles  of  every  description  imported  for  the  use  of  the 
Governor. 

Articles  for  the  official  use  of  foreign  consuls. 
Bait,  bark  for  tanning  leather,  boiler  plates. 


•i  ,t 


iV- 


L 


,H 


Coals  when  not  imported  or  brought  into  the  ports  of  St. 
John's  Harbor  Grace  or  Garbonear.  ■;  . 

Coin  and  bullion,  cotton  yarn,  cotton  (raw.)        .  ,^,,  ,i  .,  ; 

Colve,  co'.-n  for  the  manuracturc  of  brooms.        *, ;  •. .  , 

Crushing  mills,  for  mining  purposes. 

Donations  of  clothing,  specially  imported  for  gratuitous 
distribution  by  any  chaiitablo  society. 

Dye  sluL's,  hemp,  hemp  yarn,  coir  yaru,  sisal,  manilla, 
llax  and  tow, 

Fresh  fith,  inclndiug  oys!ei's  in  shell. 

Fish  of  British  calcli  and  curL',  and  oil  the  produce  of 
such  fish. 

Fruit,  not  being  canned,  bottled  or  preserved,  and  not 
otherwise  enumerated. 

Hides,  or  pieces  of  hides,  not  tanned,  curried  or  dressed. 

Household  furniture  and  working  tools  and  implements 
used  and  in  the  use  of  persons  arriving  in  this  colony. 

Junk,  old  iron,  old  copper  and  composition  metal. 

Manures  of  all  kinds. 

Materials  for  sheathing  the  bottoms  of  vessels,  such  as 
zinc,  copper,  and  composition  metal,  together  with  nails  and 
paper  or  felt,  which  maybe  used  for  or  under  such  sheathing, 
■when  used  for  sheathing  the  entire  bottom  of  the  vessel  in 
wliicb  the  same  is  imported. 

Music,  written  or  printed. 

Passengers'  baggage. 

Pigiron,  nail  strips — whether  of  iron,  zinc  or  brass — to 
be  used  in  the  manufacture  of  cut  nails  in  this  colony. 

Plants,  trees  and  shrubs. 

Ploughs,  harrows,  reaping,  raking,  ploughing  potatoe- 
digging  and  seed-sowing  machines  to  be  used  in  this  colony. 

Printing  paper,  printing  presses,  printing  types,  and  all 
other  printing  requisites. 

Printed  books,  pamphlets,  newspapers,  maps  and  charts. 
..  Refuse  rice. 

Sand. 

Scientific  instruments  and  apparatus,  including  globes^ 
when  imported  for  the  use  of  colleges,  and  scientific  or 
literary  societies. 

Seed  for  agricultural  purposes. 

Specimens  illustrative  of  Natural  History. 

Steam  engines,  boilers,  propellers,  water  wheels  and  saws,, 
when  used  in  the  original  construction  of  steamboats  built 
in  this  colony,  and  of  mills  and  factories. 

Sulphuric  acid,  when  used  for  the  manufacture  of  manure. 

Twines,  to  be  used  in  manufacturing  nets  and  netting  in 
this  colony. 

Unmanufactured  wool.  '       '       ' 

Wheat.      ,     .  ..  ^ 

Works  of  Art,  viz.:  engravings,  paintings,  statuary  not 
intended  for  sale. 


D'f 


■Ml 


i(.i:;,;:t»M'. 


■i.'i/.. 
•t:    U'lii 


'^Tr.'V!'-- 


APPENDIX. 


115 


APPENDIX  VI. 


CUSTOMS*    TARIFF. 

According  to  Revenue  Act,  passed  1883. 


TABLE  OF  DUTIES. 

Horses,  mares,  etc.,  each 
Pigs  and  calves,  each    .         •         •         • 
Ale,  porter,  cider,  and  perry,  the  gallon 
Apples,  the  barrel        .         •         •         • 

nrpigsbeads,  feet,  and  boota  (salted  and  cnred),  the 

brl  of  200  lbs i,-  *  •«.  \* 

Biscuit  and  bread  (not  including  sweet  or  fancy  biscmts) , 

the  cwt 

Butter,  the  cwt 

Cut  nails,  13  and  15  per  cent. 

All  iron  for  manufacture  of  nails    .         •         •         •         ' 

Fruit- Prunes,  dates,  raisins,  currants,  and  broadfigs  (m 

frails) ,  per  lb *         * 

■Rroidfio-9  (iu  boxes)  the  lb.  .         •         •         •         *       ,v 
Other  ch-ied  fruit  not  mentioned  (dried  apples  excepted) 

lb ,  *   „    *        'u  ' 

Cnsks  -  empty,  second-hand,  under  4o  gallons,  each  . 

Casts  -  empty  second-hand,  over  45gallons,  each  . 

Seco  d-hand   cask   staves    (manufactured)     capable  of 

making  casks  of  45  gallons  and  "P--<1«' f  ^s* 
The  same,  capable  of  making  casks  under  45  gallons, 

per  100 

Cheese,  the  cwt 

Chocolate  and  cocoa,  the  lb.  .         •         • 
Cigars,  5  per  cent,  ad  valorem,  and  the  M. 

Coffee,  the  lb.        .         •         •         *         *  inhn's 

Coal,  imported  or  brought  into  the  port  of  St.   Johns, 

the  ton  .         .         •        •        *        • 


$2  30 

0  23 
0  10 
0  30 
0  01 
2  00 

0  60 

0  16 

1  12 

Free 

0  02 
0  04 

0  04 

0  45 

1  20 

5  00 

1  20 

1  50 
0  04 

2  64 
0  03 

0  26 


I    ! 


J 


116 


APPENDIX. 


Confoctlonery,  the  cwt 

Feathers  auil  feather  beds,  the  lb.  . 

Flour,  the  barrel 

Indian  meal  and  peas3,  the  barrel  . 

Leather,  the  8100 

Lumber  one  inch  thick,  and  so  in  proportion  for  any 
greater  thickness,  the  M. 

Molasses,  the  gallon       .... 

Oatmeal,  the  barrel  of  200  lbs. 

Kerosene  oil,  the  gallon 

Pork,  the  barrel  of  200  lbs.  . 

Salt,  the  ton 

Shingles,  the  M.     . 

Spirits,  viz. :  IJrandy  and   other  spirits,  not  herein  de 
fined  or  enumerated,  and  not  exceeding  the  strength 
of  proof  by  Sykes'  hydrometer,  and  so  in  proportion 
for  any  gieater  strength  than  the  strength  of  proof, 
the  gallon 

All  other  spirits  of  greater  strength  than  forty-three  per 
cent,  ovcrproof  shall  be  deemed  to  be  undefined 
spirits,  and  be  subject  to  duty  accordingly. 

Rum,  not  exceeding  the  strength  of  proof  by  Sykes*  hy- 
drometer, and  so  in  proportion  for  any  greater 
strength  than  the  strength  of  proof,  the  gallon 

Gin,  not  exceeding  the  strength  of  proof  by  Sykes'  hy 
dromctcr,  and  so  in  proportion  for  any  greate 
strength  than  the  strength  of  proof,  the  gallon 

Whiskey,  not  exceeding  the  strength  of  proof  by  Sykes' 
hydrometer,  and  so  in  proportion  for  any  greater 
strength  than  the  strength  of  proof,  the  gallon 

Cordials,  shrub,  and  other  spirits,   being  sweetened  or 
mixed  so  that  the  degree  of  strength  cannot  be   as 
certained,  the  gallon       .... 

Sugar,  loaf  and  refined,  the  cwt.    . 

Sugar,  unrefined,  the  cwt.      .         .         .         .' 

Sugar,  bastard,  the  cwt. 

Tea,  the  lb.  .         .         .         .         .         . 

Timber,  the  ton 

Tobacco  —  manufactured,  including  leaf  tobacco,  stripped 
or  partly  manufactured,  the  lb. 

Tobacco,  leaf  and  stems,  the  lb.     . 


$3  50 

0  05 

0  20 

0  15 

11  00 

1  00 

0  OG 

0  20 

0  04 

1  00 

0  20 

0  40 

1  CO 


1  00 


1  20 


1  50 


0  80 

3  50 

2  00 

2  50 

0  05 

0  80 

0  14 

0  12^ 

APPENDIX. 


117 


Vinegar,  the  gallon 

Wines,  viz. :  Champagne,  Ihc  gallon       .... 

Port  and  Madeira,  the  gallon 

Claret,  the  gallon 

Spanish  red,  Dcnia,  Sicilian,  Figneira,  rod  Lisbon,  and 
Capo  Lisbon,  common,  the  gallon         .... 

Malaga  and  Montilla,  costing  at  port  of  shipment  under 
80  cents  a  gallon,  the  gallon 

Hock,  Burgundy,  and  light  Rhenish  wines,  the  gallon 

Malaga  and  Montilla,  costing  at  port  of  shipment  80 
cents  a  gallon,  and  any  over  that  price,  and  Manza- 
nilla  and  Sherry,  12 J  per  cent.,  ad  valorem,  and  the 
gallon 

All  other  wines  12.J  per  cent.,  ad  valorem,  and  the  gallon. 

Fruit,  other  than  above  enumerated,  fresh  meat  and  poul- 
try, oxen  and  cows,  tallow  and  palm-oil,  the  0100    . 

Candles,  carriages  and  wagons ;  ready-made  clothing, 
viz. :  coats,  jackets,  trowsers,  waistcoats,  and 
Boulh-westers ;  mantles,  dresses,  cloaks  and  sacks ; 
manufactures  of  wood  (except  cabinet  wj^res,  musi- 
cal instruments,  agricultural  implements,  and  pack- 
ages in  which  dry  goods  are  imported) ,  the  8 1 00 

Staves,  manufactured  and  dressed  ;  stockings,  shirts  and 
drawers  (made  by  hand  and  not  woven),  the  0100   . 

Anchors  and  chain  cables,  copper  and  composition  metal 
for  ships,  viz. :  bar,  bolt,  and  sheathing  nails ; 
bread-bag  brin  or  bagging,  canvas  and  sail  cloth  for 
ships'  use ;  cordage,  viz. :  ropo  and  hemp,  coir  and 
Manilla  cables  ;  corks  and  corkwood,  hoop-iron,  fish- 
ing-tackle, iron  of  all  kinds,  in  bars,  bolts,  sheets, 
plates,  and  pieces ;  machinery  and  parts  of  machin- 
ery ;  masts  and  spars,  medicines,  nails,  oakum,  oats, 
rice,  Indian  corn,  barley,  bran,  pitch,  tar,  resin,  raw 
turpentine,  sheet-tin,  solder,  block-tin,  staves  (un- 
dressed), worsted  and  woollen  yarn  of  all  kinds,  the 

ClOO '        .         .         .         . 

Goods,  wares,  and  merchandise,  not  otherwise  enumer- 
ated, described  or  charged  with  duty  in  this  act, 
and  not  otherwise  exempt,  the  $100 


$0  10 
2  00 
1  20 
0  30 

0  30 

0  30 
0  CO 


0  90 
0  80 

5  00 


20  00 
20  00 


8  00 


13  00 


118 


APPENDIX. 


LOCAL   DISTILLATION. 

Brandy,  not  exceeding  the  strength  of  proof  by  Sykos* 
hydrometer,  nud  so  in  proportion  for  any  greater 
strength  than  the  strength  of  proof,  the  gallon         .       $1  20 

Gin,  not  exceeding  the  strength  of  proof  b}'  Sykes'  hy- 
drometer, and  so  in  proportion  for  any  greater 
strength  than  the  strength  of  proof,  the  gallon         .         1  00 

Whiskey,  not  exceeding  the  strength  of  proof  by  Sykes* 
hydrometer,  and  so  in  proportion  for  any  greater 
strength  than  the  strength  of  proof,  the  gallon     .     .         1 

Rum,  not  excoedii)g  the  strength  of  proof  by  Sykes'  h}'- 
drometer,  and   so   in   proportion   for    any    greater 
strength  than  the  strength  of  proof,  the  gallon 
t^  In  addition  to  the  foregoing  duties,  there  shall  be  paid   15 

per  cent,  upon  the  amount  payable  as  such  duties  in  respect  of  the 

several  articles  above  enumerated. 


00 


75 


TABLE   OF   EXEMPTIONS. 

Agricultural  implements  and  machinery,  imported  by  agricultural 
societies  for  the  promotion  of  agriculture. 

Arms,  clothing  and  provisions  for  Her  Majesty's  land  and  sea 
forces. 

Articles  imported  for  religious  purposes. 

Paintings  and  statuary  not  intended  for  sale. 

Articles  of  every  description  imported  for  the  use  of  the  Governor. 

Articles  iot  the  official  use  of  foreign  consuls. 

Bait,  bark  for  tanning  leather,  boiler  pj-xte. 

Coals,  when  not  imported  or  brought  into  the  port  of  St.  John's. 

Coin  and  bullion. 

Coke,  cotton  yarn,  cotton  (raw). 

Corn  for  the  manufacture  of  brooms. 

Crushing  mills  for  mining  purposes. 

Donations  of  clothing,  specially  imported  for  distribution  gratui- 
tously by  any  char.table  society. 

Dyestuff,  eggs,  hemp,  flax,  and  tow. 

Hides,  or  pieces  of  hides,  not  tanned,  curried,  or  dressed. 

Junk,  old  iron,  eld  copper,  and  composition  metal. 

Live  sheep,  unmanufactured  wool. 

Manures  of  all  kinds. 


APPENDIX. 


119 


Materials  for  sheathing  the  bottoms  of  vessels,  such  as  zinc,  cop- 
per, and  composition  metal,  together  with  nails  and  paper,  or 
felt,  which  may  be  used  for  or  under  such  sheatliing. 

Music,  written  or  printed. 

Passengers*  baggage. 

Household  furniture  and  working  tools  and  implements  used  and 
in  the  use  of  persons  arriving  in  the  colony. 

Philosophical  instruments  and  a|)paratus,  including  globes,  when 
imported  for  the  use  of  colleges,  scientific  or  literary  soci'jties. 

Pig  iron,  plants,  trees  and  shruLti. 

Printed  matter,  not  intended  to  be  written  on. 

Printing  presses,  printing  paper  (royal  and  dem^),  printing  types, 
and  all  other  priming  materials. 

Pi'intcd  books,  pamphlets,  maps,  and  charts. 

Refuse  rice,  sand,  seeds  for  agricultural  societies. 

Specimens  illustrative  of  Natural  History. 

Sulphuric  acid,  when  used  for  the  manufacture  of  manure. 

Stcam-cugincs,  boilers,  and  propellers. 

Water-wheels  and  saws,  when  .used  in  the  original  construction  of 
steamboats  built  in  this  colony,  and  of  mills  and  factories. 

Twines  to  bo  used  in  manufacturing  nets  in  this  colony. 

Wheat. 

Works  of  art,  viz. :  engravings,  paintings,  and  statuary,  not  in- 
tended for  sale. 

Vegetables  of  all  sorts. 

Fish  of  all  kinds,  and  oil  of  the  produce  of  fish. 

Ploughs,  harrows,  reaping,  raking,  mowing,  ploughing,  and  seed- 
sowing  machines,  to  be  used  in  this  colony. 


It  shall  not  be  lawful  for  any  importer  of  dried  fish  to  ware- 
house the  same  in  any  of  the  ports  of  this  colony  or  its  dependen- 
cies, without  the  payment  of  the  duty  hereinbefore  imposed  ;  and 
tho  provisions  of  any  act  of  this  colony  with  regard  to  the  ware- 
housing of  goods  on  the  first  entry  thereof,  or  to  the  allowance  of 
drawbacks  upon  exportation,  shall  not  ni  either  case  apply  to  or 
be  construed  to  apply  to  such  fish :  Provided,  that  the  section 
shall  not  apply  to  such  fish  of  Dritish  catch  and  cure,  unless  other- 
wise declared  by  proclamation  of  the  Governor,  published  in  the 
Royal  Gazette  newspaper. 

All  yachts,  sailing  under  warrant  of  the  Lords  of  tho  Admiralty, 
or  belonging  to  the  Koyal  Yacht  Club,  shall  be  exempted,  on  view 
of  the  said  warrant,  from  ptlyment  of  all  local  duties  whatsoever. 


